Failure of thiabendazole and metronidazole in the treatment and suppression of guinea worm disease
Belcher, D.W.; Wunapa, F.K.; Ward, W.B.
American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene 24(3): 444-446
1975
ISSN/ISBN: 0002-9637 PMID: 125551 Document Number: 95586
During an outbreak of guinea worm disease in some villages near Accra, Ghana, in 1973 a total of 112 patients were treated with either thiabendazole (500 to 1,500 mg daily according to age) for 3 days or metronidazole (200 to 600 mg daily according to age) for 7 days. Analysis of the results for 74 patients showed that in 15 of the 41 thiabendazole-treated patients and 6 of the 33 metronidazole-treated patients new lesions continued to appear. Analysis of 58 patients with ulcers showed that only 6 of 30 thiabendazole-treated patients and 3 of 28 metronidazole-treated patients expelled the worm completely. Both anthelmintics were rejected for mass chemotherapy.