Effectiveness of a new therapeutic regimen with albendazole in cutaneous larva migrans.

Twenty-four (13 males and 11 females) adult Caucasian patients affected by cutaneous larva migrans, characterized by extensive and/or multiple lesions, were treated with oral albendazole according to a new therapeutic regimen (400 mg/day for 7 days). No other topical or systemic drug was used nor any physical treatment. All patients were cured at the end of the therapy. No recurrence was observed. No side effect was either complained of or observed, nor was any laboratory abnormality recorded. On the basis of this study, albendazole is effective in cutaneous larva migrans characterized by extensive and/or multiple lesions. This new therapeutic regimen avoids no response and recurrence, which are not uncommonly observed following shorter (e.g.: 1-5 days) therapies with albendazole. The longer duration of the therapy is not accompanied by the appearance of more severe and/or new side effects or laboratory abnormalities.