Mebendazole vs. mebendazole-pyrantel pamoate for soil-transmitted helminthiasis infection in children

Fereza Amelia; Muhammad Ali; Syahril Pasaribu

doi:10.14238/pi53.4.2013.209-13

Fereza Amelia Department of Child Health, University of North Sumatera/ H Adam Malik Hospital
Muhammad Ali Department of Child Health, University of North Sumatera/ H Adam Malik Hospital
Syahril Pasaribu Department of Child Health, University of North Sumatera/ H Adam Malik Hospital

DOI: https://doi.org/10.14238/pi53.4.2013.209-13

Keywords: mebendazole, pyrantel pamoate, soil transmitted helminth, children

Abstract

Abstract
Background Soil-transmitted helminthiasis (STH) is the most
common infection in developing countries. Although it causes
high morbidity, it is still difficult to find the efficacy dose of
antihelmintics for its treatment.
Objective To determine the efficacy ofmebendazole and mebendazole-
pyrantel pamoate in treating STH infection in children.
Methods We conducted a randomized open-label controlled trial
from July to September 2009 in Secanggang, Langkat District,
North Sumatera Province, Indonesia, on primary school-aged
children. Before the intervention, data on age, sex, nutritional
status, and STH infection status were collected. The children
were randomized into two groups. Children in group I received a
single dose of 500 mgmebendazole while they in group II received
a single dose of 500 mg of mebendazole combined with 10 mg/
kgBW of pyrantel pamoate. We examined subjects' stool specimens
on days 7, 14, 21, and 28 after treatment to determine cure rates
and egg reductions. Statistical analyses were performed by Chi
square and student's Ttest with 95% confidence intervals and P
values of< 0.05 considered to be significant.
Results We found that the cure rates were 95.4%, 78.5%, and893%
for Ascaris lumbricoides, Trichuris trichiura, and mixed (A lumbricoides
and T trichiura) infections, respectively, in the mebendazole group.
The cure rates were 98.5%, 89.2%, and 90.2% for A lumbricoides,
T trichiura, and mixed infections, respectively, in the mebendazolepyrantel
pamoate group. Although the cure rate results were not
significantly different between the 2 treatment groups, the total eggs
per gram (EPG) was significantly lower for both A lumbricoides and
T trichiura infections (P=0.001 and P=0.002, respectively) in the
combination therapy group than in the mebendazole alone group.
Conclusion Mebendazole in combination with pyrantel pamoate
has higher efficacy than mebendazole alone in terms of faster egg
reduction rates. However, the cure rates of these two antihelmintics
regimens are similar.

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