Randomized double-blind trial of metronidazole versus secnidazole in amebic liver abscess
Bhatia, S.; Karnad, D.R.; Oak, J.L.
Indian Journal of Gastroenterology Official Journal of the Indian Society of Gastroenterology 17(2): 53-54
1998
ISSN/ISBN: 0254-8860 PMID: 9563220 Document Number: 494944
To compare the efficacy of secnidazole with metronidazole in the treatment of amoebic liver abscess, 32 patients with uncomplicated liver abscesses [due to Entamoeba histolytica] were studied in a randomized, double-blind trial. 15 received metronidazole (400 mg 3 times/day for 7 days) and 17 received secnidazole (500 mg 3 times/day for 5 days). All abscesses were aspirated on day 1 and laboratory tests and ultrasonographic examination were performed on days 1 and 10. One patient in the metronidazole group developed intraperitoneal rupture. 31 patients had 40 abscesses (19 in the metronidazole group, 21 in the secnidazole group). Complete resolution of symptoms occurred by day 10 in 10 patients on metronidazole and 12 on secnidazole, and in all others by day 28. On day 10 ultrasonography showed that abscesses had completely disappeared in one patient, decreased in 8 and increased in 5 of the patients in the metronidazole group, compared with 2, 12 and 3 patients, respectively, in the secnidazole group. After 6 months, 4 asymptomatic patients (2 from each group) had small abscess cavities on ultrasonography; there were no recurrences. It is concluded that secnidazole is as effective in the treatment of amoebic liver abscess as metronidazole and is equally well tolerated.