A controlled trial with metronidazole in the treatment of dracontiasis in Nigeria
Padonu, K.O.
Tropical and Geographical Medicine 25(3): 238-241
1973
ISSN/ISBN: 0041-3232 PMID: 4270902 Document Number: 62593
In controlled trials in 3 villages in Nigeria, oral metronidazole was significantly more effective than procaine penicillin injections in expelling Dracunculus medinensis, relieving symptoms and producing complete recovery. Metronidazole tablets at 400 mg 3 times daily for 7 days in one village relieved symptoms within 3 days, expelled the worm in a mean period of 4.3 days and gave complete recovery in a mean of 20.2 days. In the 2nd village, the same daily dosage for 5 days relieved symptoms within 2 days, caused expulsion in a mean of 4.3 days and complete recovery in a mean of 19.3 days. The corresponding penicillin-treated controls (2cc injection daily for 5 days plus yeast tablets) had mean expulsion and recovery times of 24.9 and 45.8 days, respectively. In the last village, 800 mg metronidazole, 3 times daily for 3 days, with yeast tablets for 2 days, gave mean expulsion and recovery times of 7.1 and 22.6 days, respectively; the same daily dose for 5 days without yeast gave 6.7 and 20.4 days, respectively. Penicillin-treated controls here gave 22.3 and 38.5 days, respectively.