Clinical trials with metronidazole in human balantidiasis
Garcia-Laverde, A.; de Bonilla, L.
American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene 24(5): 781-783
1975
ISSN/ISBN: 0002-9637 PMID: 1190365 Document Number: 84995
Metronidazole was given in 20 cases of balantidiasis at total doses of 2.5g (given over 5 days) or 7.5g (over 10 days) to children and 5g (over 5 days) or 12.5g (over 10 days) to adults. In all patients Balantidium coli disappeared from the faeces after the 4th day of treatment, and frequent post-treatment stool examinations remained negative. All patients tolerated the drug well and there were no side effects. Giardia disappeared during treatment in 2 patients but remained present in 3. All patients also harboured Trichuris trichiura and probably this promotes infection with B. coli. All of 20 patients treated with metronidazole for Balantidium coli were also infected with Trichuris trichiura, 8 were also infected with Ascaris lumbricoides, 8 with hookworm and one with Strongyloides stercoralis. The strong association between B. coli and T. trichiura supports the view that this relationship is a functional one.