Treatment of taeniasis and cysticercosis with praziquantel and albendazole
Abstract: Recent methods,
doses and results of medical treatment on taeniasis/cysticercosis, a zoo-notic
parasitic disease caused by Taenia solium and Taenia saginata are discussed. In
cases of cysticercosis T. solium, especially neurocysticercosis the optimal length
and dose of albendazole is a course of 8 days with doses of 15 mg/kg/day
divided in two times added by 50 mg/day of prednisone in the morning. The drug
is effective in almost any location of the parasites for 80-90% of macroscopic
cysts seen by imaging studies. For taeniasis a single dose of praziquantel,
10-15 mg/kg achieves cure rates of more than 90%. Side effects such as nausea,
headache and abdominal pain are mild.
Evaluation of drug treatment is done by clinical, radiological and
serological evaluation. In Papua (=Irian Jaya) nine cases with suspected
neurocysticercosis, serologically positive, were treated with 1200 mg single
dose albendazole for 15 days. Prednisone tablets, three times daily one tablet,
5 mg during 7 days were added. After one year 6 cases were still serologic
positive. At the same time praziquantel, 1200 mg, single dose was given to ten
cases during 15 days and prednisone tablets, 3 times daily one tablet, 5 mg
during 7 days. After one year 5 sero-positive cases were still found. Albendazole
and praziquantel are both effective drugs for taeniasis and cysticercosis, with
minor side effects. In addition symptomatic treatment should be given if
necessary.
Author: Abdulbar Hamid, Sri S.
Margono, Toni Wandra, Akira Ito
Journal Code: jpkedokterangg050146
