Studies on efficacy of praziquantel and mebendazole-medicated salt in treatment of Echinochasmus fujianensis infection.

The therapeutic effect of praziquantel and mebendazole-medicated salt has been studied in 109 cases with Echinochasmus fujianensis infection. These cases were randomly divided into four groups: 2 groups with a single dose of praziquantel 5 mg/kg or 2.5 mg/kg; and other 2 groups with mebendazole 800mg or 400 mg in 10d table salt. Four weeks after treatment, the egg negative conversion rates were 100%, 92.3%, 85.2% and 71.4% respectively, the egg reduction rates were 84.8-100%, and side-effects were mild. The symptoms caused by infection such as abdominal pain, diarrhea, distension and anorexia were obviously relieved. These data indicated that praziquantel is the drug of choice in the treatment of Echinochasmus fujianensis. The dosage is only 2.5 mg/kg, and its egg negative conversion rate and reduction rate reach 92.3% and 95.4%, respectively. For convenience, the dosage can be made according to their age. Children under 12 take half a tablet (100 mg), and one tablet (200 mg) for those over 12. This dosage is approximately equal to 2.5-5.0 mg/kg. Although the efficacy of mebendazole is lower than praziquantel, its egg negative conversion rate also reaches 71.4-85%. Mebendazole-medicated salt can be used for treating Echinochasmus fujianensis infection as the presence of co-infection with nematodes.