Efficacy of albendazole against Giardia and hookworm in a remote Aboriginal community in the north of Western Australia

Reynoldson, J.A., Behnke, J.M., Gracey, M., Horton, R.J., Spargo, R., Hopkins, R.M., Constantine, C.C., Gilbert, F., Stead, C., Hobbs, R.P. and Thompson, R.C.A. (1998) Efficacy of albendazole against Giardia and hookworm in a remote Aboriginal community in the north of Western Australia. Acta Tropica, 71 (1). pp. 27-44.

Abstract

The parasitological, clinical efficacy and tolerability of albendazole in the treatment for both giardiasis and hookworm infection in a remote Aboriginal population was investigated. Albendazole at a dose rate of 400 mg daily for 5 days was highly effective in reducing hookworm egg numbers and both Giardia antigen and cysts. The 36.6% prevalence of Giardia prior to treatment fell to 12% between days 6 and 9, 15% for days 10-17 and rose to 28% between days 18 and 30. Tolerability and clinical efficacy were excellent. The effect of albendazole on hookworm was longer lasting than that on Giardia, reducing percent infection from over 76-2% on days 6-9 and zero by day 18-30 despite conditions highly conducive to rapid re-infection. We conclude that albendazole is highly efficacious against both parasites when used as described but that long term community benefit may require additional education programmes to avoid re-infection with Giardia although treatment strategies would seem appropriate for hookworm.