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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 -
World Journal of Gastroenterology Sep 2016Hepatobiliary and pancreatic ascariasis (HPA) was described as a clinical entity from Kashmir, India in 1985. HPA is caused by invasion and migration of nematode,... (Review)
Review
Hepatobiliary and pancreatic ascariasis (HPA) was described as a clinical entity from Kashmir, India in 1985. HPA is caused by invasion and migration of nematode, Ascaris lumbricoides, in to the biliary tract and pancreatic duct. Patients present with biliary colic, cholangitis, cholecystitis, hepatic abscesses and acute pancreatitis. Ascarides traverse the ducts repeatedly, get trapped and die, leading to formation of hepatolithiasis. HPA is ubiquitous in endemic regions and in Kashmir, one such region, HPA is the etiological factor for 36.7%, 23%, 14.5% and 12.5% of all biliary diseases, acute pancreatitis, liver abscesses and biliary lithiasis respectively. Ultrasonography is an excellent diagnostic tool in visualizing worms in gut lumen and ductal system. The rational treatment for HPA is to give appropriate treatment for clinical syndromes along with effective anthelmintic therapy. Endotherapy in HPA is indicated if patients continue to have symptoms on medical therapy or when worms do not move out of ductal lumen by 3 wk or die within the ducts. The worms can be removed from the ductal system in most of the patients and such patients get regression of symptoms of hepatobiliary and pancreatic disease.
Topics: Algorithms; Animals; Ascariasis; Ascaris lumbricoides; Biliary Tract; Biliary Tract Diseases; Cholangitis; Cholecystitis; Humans; India; Liver Diseases, Parasitic; Pancreatitis; Prevalence
PubMed: 27672273
DOI: 10.3748/wjg.v22.i33.7507 -
Medical Ultrasonography Aug 2022Ascariasis no longer widespread within Europe and so experience in diagnosis and treatment is limited for many specialists. On the other hand, clinicians face increasing... (Review)
Review
Ascariasis no longer widespread within Europe and so experience in diagnosis and treatment is limited for many specialists. On the other hand, clinicians face increasing numbers of migrants from high prevalence countries and are therefore, challenged to update in this field of infectious diseases. Here we present imaging features and current knowledge of this infection.
Topics: Ascariasis; Europe; Humans; Prevalence; Transients and Migrants
PubMed: 34379712
DOI: 10.11152/mu-3343 -
Current Biology : CB May 2020Wang and Davis provide an overview of the parasite nematode Ascaris, including the history of its role in biological research.
Wang and Davis provide an overview of the parasite nematode Ascaris, including the history of its role in biological research.
Topics: Animals; Ascariasis; Ascaris; Female; Humans; Male; Reproduction
PubMed: 32428467
DOI: 10.1016/j.cub.2020.02.064 -
Microbes and Infection Jul 2011Ascaris lumbricoides and Ascaris suum are widespread parasitic nematodes of humans and pigs respectively. Recent prevalence data suggests that approximately 1.2 billion... (Review)
Review
Ascaris lumbricoides and Ascaris suum are widespread parasitic nematodes of humans and pigs respectively. Recent prevalence data suggests that approximately 1.2 billion people are infected. Adult worms exhibit an overdispersed frequency distribution in their hosts and individuals harbouring heavy burdens display associated morbidity. In this review, we describe the parasite, its distribution and measures undertaken to control infection.
Topics: Animals; Ascariasis; Ascaris; Feces; Humans; Intestinal Diseases, Parasitic; Life Cycle Stages; Liver Diseases, Parasitic; Prevalence; Swine
PubMed: 20934531
DOI: 10.1016/j.micinf.2010.09.012 -
The Turkish Journal of Gastroenterology... 2011Gallbladder ascariasis is rarely encountered. The causative agent is Ascaris lumbricoides. Presence of ascaris inside the gallbladder can incite acalculous...
BACKGROUND/AIMS
Gallbladder ascariasis is rarely encountered. The causative agent is Ascaris lumbricoides. Presence of ascaris inside the gallbladder can incite acalculous cholecystitis. We aimed in this report to study gallbladder ascariasis.
METHODS
This is a case study of 28 patients with a diagnosis of gallbladder ascariasis from 2005 to 2010 who were seen in the Department of General Surgery, SMHS Hospital.
RESULTS
Three patients with gallbladder ascariasis had associated worms in the common bile duct. On abdominal sonography, all patients showed worms as linear echogenic shadows or the worms showed 'belly dance' of worms when actively moving. Acute acalculous cholecystitis was present in 21 patients, and 7 had biliary colic. Dead worms in the gallbladder were seen in 4 patients, of which, one was fragmented and another had calcified form of parasite. Twenty-two patients had spontaneous exit of worms from the gallbladder with a time interval ranging from 1 hour to 144 hours from the time of a diagnosis. Six patients had cholecystectomy. Two patients were subjected to emergency cholecystectomy due to multiple impacted worms not exiting from the gallbladder after conservative treatment.
CONCLUSIONS
Based on our experience, ultrasound diagnosis is advocated as a highly sensitive and noninvasive technique for suspected gallbladder ascariasis and it can be repeated frequently to monitor movement of worms in the gallbladder and common bile ducts.
Topics: Adolescent; Adult; Aged; Animals; Ascariasis; Ascaris lumbricoides; Child; Child, Preschool; Common Bile Duct; Female; Gallbladder; Gallbladder Diseases; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Parasite Load; Young Adult
PubMed: 21796555
DOI: 10.4318/tjg.2011.0187 -
Saudi Journal of Gastroenterology :... 2017
Topics: Acute Disease; Ascariasis; Cholangiopancreatography, Endoscopic Retrograde; Humans; Pancreatitis
PubMed: 28937027
DOI: 10.4103/sjg.SJG_301_17 -
Trends in Parasitology Mar 2021Ascariasis is a globally spread intestinal nematode infection of humans and a considerable concern in pig husbandry. Ascaris accomplishes a complex body migration from... (Review)
Review
Ascariasis is a globally spread intestinal nematode infection of humans and a considerable concern in pig husbandry. Ascaris accomplishes a complex body migration from the intestine via the liver and lung before returning to the intestine. Tissue migration and the habitat shared with a complex microbial community pose the question of how the nematode interacts with microbes and host cells from various tissues. This review addresses the current knowledge of the trilateral relationship between Ascaris, its microbial environment, and host cells, and discusses novel approaches targeting these interactions to combat this widespread infection of livestock and man.
Topics: Animals; Ascariasis; Ascaris; Environment; Gastrointestinal Microbiome; Host-Parasite Interactions; Swine; Swine Diseases
PubMed: 33008723
DOI: 10.1016/j.pt.2020.09.002 -
Journal of the Royal Society of Medicine Dec 1987
Topics: Animals; Animals, Domestic; Ascariasis; Cats; Child; Dogs; Humans; Toxocariasis
PubMed: 3430540
DOI: 10.1177/014107688708001230 -
Endoscopy Dec 2024
Topics: Humans; Ascariasis; Biliary Tract Diseases; Cholangiopancreatography, Endoscopic Retrograde
PubMed: 38388953
DOI: 10.1055/a-2258-8436