Combination of praziquantel and albendazole in the treatment of hydatid disease.

This is a preliminary report on the first four patients with pelvic, abdominal and thoracic hydatid disease, who are receiving combined medical treatment (albendazole 400 mg bd on monthly courses plus praziquantel 50 mg/kg in different regimens). Response to treatment was monitored clinically, biochemically and radiologically by means of computed tomography (CT) and abdominal sonography (US). No side effects were observed in the course of this treatment. After 3 months of using the combined treatment, cysts disappeared completely in three patients and in the fourth patient, a reduction in cysts size by more than 75% after two months combination treatment was observed. This combination therapy as a human trial has not been reported previously. This preliminary report shows that the response to combined treatment is better and much quicker compared to albendazole alone.