Trichuris trichiura Infection — Optimal Therapy?

Worldwide, chronic Trichuris trichiura infection affects hundreds of millions of people — primarily children in warm, humid regions with poor sanitation. This soil-transmitted condition can bring abdominal pain and distention, diarrhea, anemia, malnutrition, growth retardation, and impaired development. Cure rates are low with current treatments.

In a recent randomized, controlled, double-blind trial involving children aged 6 to 14 years at two schools in Tanzania, investigators compared the efficacy and safety of combination oxantel pamoate–albendazole therapy with those of monotherapy. They also evaluated the effect of these regimens on concurrent infections with other soil-transmitted helminths.

Four treatment regimens were assessed:

• Oxante…