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The Korean Journal of Parasitology Jun 2021The use of albendazole and mebendazole, i.e., benzimidazole broad-spectrum anthelmintics, in treatment of parasitic infections, as well as cancers, is briefly reviewed.... (Review)
Review
The use of albendazole and mebendazole, i.e., benzimidazole broad-spectrum anthelmintics, in treatment of parasitic infections, as well as cancers, is briefly reviewed. These drugs are known to block the microtubule systems of parasites and mammalian cells leading to inhibition of glucose uptake and transport and finally cell death. Eventually they exhibit ovicidal, larvicidal, and vermicidal effects on parasites, and tumoricidal effects on hosts. Albendazole and mebendazole are most frequently prescribed for treatment of intestinal nematode infections (ascariasis, hookworm infections, trichuriasis, strongyloidiasis, and enterobiasis) and can also be used for intestinal tapeworm infections (taeniases and hymenolepiasis). However, these drugs also exhibit considerable therapeutic effects against tissue nematode/cestode infections (visceral, ocular, neural, and cutaneous larva migrans, anisakiasis, trichinosis, hepatic and intestinal capillariasis, angiostrongyliasis, gnathostomiasis, gongylonemiasis, thelaziasis, dracunculiasis, cerebral and subcutaneous cysticercosis, and echinococcosis). Albendazole is also used for treatment of filarial infections (lymphatic filariasis, onchocerciasis, loiasis, mansonellosis, and dirofilariasis) alone or in combination with other drugs, such as ivermectin or diethylcarbamazine. Albendazole was tried even for treatment of trematode (fascioliasis, clonorchiasis, opisthorchiasis, and intestinal fluke infections) and protozoan infections (giardiasis, vaginal trichomoniasis, cryptosporidiosis, and microsporidiosis). These drugs are generally safe with few side effects; however, when they are used for prolonged time (>14-28 days) or even only 1 time, liver toxicity and other side reactions may occur. In hookworms, Trichuris trichiura, possibly Ascaris lumbricoides, Wuchereria bancrofti, and Giardia sp., there are emerging issues of drug resistance. It is of particular note that albendazole and mebendazole have been repositioned as promising anti-cancer drugs. These drugs have been shown to be active in vitro and in vivo (animals) against liver, lung, ovary, prostate, colorectal, breast, head and neck cancers, and melanoma. Two clinical reports for albendazole and 2 case reports for mebendazole have revealed promising effects of these drugs in human patients having variable types of cancers. However, because of the toxicity of albendazole, for example, neutropenia due to myelosuppression, if high doses are used for a prolonged time, mebendazole is currently more popularly used than albendazole in anti-cancer clinical trials.
Topics: Albendazole; Animals; Anthelmintics; Antineoplastic Agents; Ascariasis; Female; Humans; Male; Mebendazole; Parasites; Trichuriasis
PubMed: 34218593
DOI: 10.3347/kjp.2021.59.3.189 -
Deutsches Arzteblatt International Mar 2019Symptomatic infection with pinworm (Enterobius vermicularis), a human pathogen, is clinically relevant in Germany, with an estimated prevalence in childhood of 2-20%....
BACKGROUND
Symptomatic infection with pinworm (Enterobius vermicularis), a human pathogen, is clinically relevant in Germany, with an estimated prevalence in childhood of 2-20%. Enterobiasis can cause major mental distress. There is little systematically verified knowledge on the treatment of this condition, and there is no corresponding German guideline. This review is, therefore, intended as a summary of the current state of knowledge.
METHODS
This review is based on pertinent publications retrieved by a selective search in PubMed for literature appearing from 1 January 1990 to 5 February 2019 and containing the search terms "enterobiasis," "oxyuriasis," "Enterobius vermicula- ris," "pinworm," and "threadworm."
RESULTS
More than one billion people worldwide are thought to be infected with pinworm. Estimates of its prevalence among kindergarten and primary-school pupils in Europe are generally near 20%. Infants (<2 years of age), adolescents (>14 years of age), and adults are only sporadically affected. The main risk factors are age 4-11 years, uncontrolled anus-finger-mouth contact, nail-biting (onychophagia/peri- onychophagia), unsupervised body hygiene, and poor compliance with basic hand hygiene. No large-scale, randomized, controlled trials of treatment are available. The approved antihelminthic agents are mebendazole, pyrantel embonate, and pyrvinium embonate (success rates up to >90%). For recurrent infections, prolonged treatment for up to 16 weeks (a "pulse scheme") is recommended.
CONCLUSION
In nearly all cases, antihelminthic treatment along with attention to hygienic measures can successfully eradicate pinworm infection and prevent recurrence and autoinfection. The involvement of all persons living in the patient's house- hold, including sexual partners, is a prerequisite to the lasting success of treatment.
Topics: Adolescent; Animals; Child; Child, Preschool; Enterobiasis; Enterobius; Europe; Germany; Humans; Hygiene; Infant
PubMed: 31064642
DOI: 10.3238/arztebl.2019.0213 -
Clinics in Colon and Rectal Surgery Jun 2015Over one billion people worldwide harbor intestinal parasites. Parasitic intestinal infections have a predilection for developing countries due to overcrowding and poor... (Review)
Review
Over one billion people worldwide harbor intestinal parasites. Parasitic intestinal infections have a predilection for developing countries due to overcrowding and poor sanitation but are also found in developed nations, such as the United States, particularly in immigrants or in the setting of sporadic outbreaks. Although the majority of people are asymptomatically colonized with parasites, the clinical presentation can range from mild abdominal discomfort or diarrhea to serious complications, such as perforation or bleeding. Protozoa and helminths (worms) are the two major classes of intestinal parasites. Protozoal intestinal infections include cryptosporidiosis, cystoisosporiasis, cyclosporiasis, balantidiasis, giardiasis, amebiasis, and Chagas disease, while helminth infections include ascariasis, trichuriasis, strongyloidiasis, enterobiasis, and schistosomiasis. Intestinal parasites are predominantly small intestine pathogens but the large intestine is also frequently involved. This article highlights important aspects of parasitic infections of the colon including epidemiology, transmission, symptoms, and diagnostic methods as well as appropriate medical and surgical treatment.
PubMed: 26034403
DOI: 10.1055/s-0035-1547335 -
Deutsches Arzteblatt International Aug 2019
Topics: Enterobiasis; Humans
PubMed: 31554546
DOI: 10.3238/arztebl.2019.0561b -
Deutsches Arzteblatt International Aug 2019
Topics: Enterobiasis; Humans
PubMed: 31554545
DOI: 10.3238/arztebl.2019.0561a -
Parasitology Mar 2022A cross-sectional survey to assess the prevalence of Enterobius vermicularis infection and its associated factors among the child population of infant, preschool and... (Review)
Review
A cross-sectional survey to assess the prevalence of Enterobius vermicularis infection and its associated factors among the child population of infant, preschool and school age in the urban, rural and indigenous population of Iguazú city, in subtropical Argentina was presented. Additionally, the status of enterobiasis at country level was reviewed and analysed. Enterobius vermicularis presence was assessed employing an oviscopic serial sampling technique. Statistical analysis of socio-demographic determinants was performed by generalized linear mixed models at individual, household and community levels. Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis guidelines were used to gather national information about E. vermicularis prevalence spanning the decade 2010–2020. A total of 916 children from 470 families participated. Overall prevalence was 29.8%, with 25.3, 30.7 and 34.2% detected for children inhabiting urban, rural and indigenous villages, respectively. The multi-level analysis showed that the presence of E. vermicularis was mostly determined by individual (e.g. age, playing habits, previous pinworm infection) and household-level factors (e.g. family size, overcrowding conditions). Interestingly, WASH variables, such as waste disposal, analysed at community level were also important. Data were analysed to provide eco-epidemiological features of enterobiasis in a heterogeneous subtropical child population in the same territory but with different socio-sanitary realities. The importance of promoting multi-level actions against the determinants identified, to control this public health problem integratively was evidenced. The scoping review of national data updated the state of knowledge of this parasitosis, identifying risk determinants and gaps in knowledge at country level.
Topics: Animals; Argentina; Child; Child, Preschool; Cross-Sectional Studies; Enterobiasis; Enterobius; Humans; Infant; Prevalence; Risk Factors
PubMed: 35264264
DOI: 10.1017/S0031182021001955 -
Helminthologia Dec 2022Enterobiasis continues to be among the highest parasitic infections affecting the human population worldwide. A study was conducted between 2011 - 2015 in Iraq to...
Enterobiasis continues to be among the highest parasitic infections affecting the human population worldwide. A study was conducted between 2011 - 2015 in Iraq to evaluate the enterobiasis reported by the Communicable Diseases Control Center (n=220,607 cases) in relation to demographic (age, sex, rural population and family size) and spatial variables (local and regional sources). Females were more parasitized than males, as well as children and youth ages 4 to 15. Approximately 40 % of cases are from the South region provinces (Thiqar, Miasan, Basrah and Wassit). However, most cases occurred in regions with high rural populations and a high family size average. The results may provide insights for researchers assessing management approaches to control enterobiasis in Iraq.
PubMed: 36875677
DOI: 10.2478/helm-2022-0033 -
Journal of Parasitic Diseases :... Sep 2022Enterobiasis is a highly infectious parasitic disease spreading worldwide including Yemen. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the prevalence and risk factors of...
Enterobiasis is a highly infectious parasitic disease spreading worldwide including Yemen. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the prevalence and risk factors of enterobiasis among Yemeni children in Dhamar governorate. A total of 402 children (aged 1-12 years) participated in this cross-sectional survey carried out at Thamar University Al-Wahdah Teaching Hospital (TUWTH), between 2018 and 2019. infection was examined using the adhesive tape technique. Association between risk factors and enterobiasis were measured by prevalence ratio (PR). The overall prevalence of enterobiasis was found to be 29.4% (118/402). Risk factors that showed independent association with the infection were child's care responsibility (PR = 1.90; 95% CI = 1.37-2.63; = 0.001); irregular washing hands before meals (PR = 2.01; 95% CI = 1.32-3.05; = 0.003); habit of nail biting or cutting by teeth (PR = 1.61; 95% CI = 1.18-2.21; = 0.002); habit of putting toys or pen in mouth (PR = 1.58; 95% CI = 1.19-2.10; = 0.002); frequent anal itching (PR = 1.46; 95% CI = 1.10-1.93; = 0.016); using anthelmintic during the last six months (PR = 1.68; 95% CI = 1.20-2.36; = 0.011); and parents have no knowledge on preventive measures (PR = 1.62; 95% CI = 1.04-2.53; = 0.036). Prevalence of enterobiasis among Yemeni children in Dhamar governorate is high with higher infection rate among those aged 1-6 years. Health education and mass treatment are highly recommended among this poor population.
PubMed: 36091264
DOI: 10.1007/s12639-022-01487-1 -
Revista Da Sociedade Brasileira de... 2023Enterobius vermicularis, an intestinal helminth, is transmitted through the ingestion of eggs found in food, water, dust, or other fomites, including infected... (Review)
Review
Enterobius vermicularis, an intestinal helminth, is transmitted through the ingestion of eggs found in food, water, dust, or other fomites, including infected individuals. This review aimed to examine the frequency and distribution of E. vermicularis infections in Brazil between 1991 and 2022. The conducted bibliographic survey revealed that the frequency of E. vermicularis infections in Brazil ranged from 0.1 to 26.1%, depending on factors such as population ethnicity, individual age group, geographic area, time frame, and diagnostic method. However, these findings were based on a limited number of publications, suggesting that the actual prevalence rates of E. vermicularis infection may still be unknown and potentially underestimated.
Topics: Humans; Animals; Enterobius; Brazil; Helminthiasis; Intestinal Diseases, Parasitic; Prevalence; Enterobiasis
PubMed: 37792827
DOI: 10.1590/0037-8682-0073-2023 -
BMJ Case Reports Jun 2016A teenage girl was admitted to the paediatric assessment unit with non-specific abdominal pain that gradually localised to the right iliac fossa (RIF). She remained...
A teenage girl was admitted to the paediatric assessment unit with non-specific abdominal pain that gradually localised to the right iliac fossa (RIF). She remained systemically well; investigations including blood tests, urine sample and abdominal ultrasound were inconclusive. Surgical opinion was sought and the decision was made to perform a diagnostic laparoscopy due to the ongoing pain. Laparoscopy showed no evidence of any significant pathology, and appendicectomy was performed following the routine practice. Numerous pinworms came out while the appendix was resected. The RIF pain resolved and the patient made a full post-operative recovery. A stat dose of mebendazole and amoxicillin were given and the immediate family was also treated. Enterobius vermicularis (pinworm) causes significant morbidity worldwide and has a high prevalence among children in the UK. It can be easily treated and prompt recognition based on clinical symptoms can potentially prevent unnecessary surgery.
Topics: Abdominal Pain; Acute Disease; Adolescent; Appendectomy; Appendicitis; Diagnosis, Differential; Enterobiasis; Female; Humans
PubMed: 27364910
DOI: 10.1136/bcr-2016-214944