Comparison of albendazole and levamisole chemotherapy on prevalence and intensity of common soil-transmitted helminth infections in school children, Sierra Leone.

A comparison of two studies performed in Sierra Leone on the effect of anthelmintic, chemotherapy, levamisole, albendazole or a placebo in children aged 6 to 10 years on the prevalence and intensity of common soil transmitted helminths (S-THs) infections is presented. In total 501 children were screened, and 394 successfully follow-up. At baseline their overall prevalence and intensity (epg) of Ascaris, Necator and Trichuris were 34% (2,877), 22% (284) and 39% (266) respectively. At baseline there was no significant difference in the intensity of S-THs infections in the different treatment groups but the prevalence of Necator was significantly higher in the levamisole than the albendazole group (p < 0.05). At follow-up both albendazole and levamisole significantly reduced prevalence and intensity of Ascaris and Trichuris. Only albendazole significantly reduced those of Necator. The placebo group had no significant change in prevalence but a significant increase in intensity of all S-THs.