Changes of liver functions after albendazole treatment in human gnathostomiasis.

Ninety-eight out-patients of the Hospital for Tropical Diseases, Bangkok with clinical diagnosis of cutaneous gnathostomiasis were studied. All patients were treated with albendazole at a dosage of 400 mg (two tablets) twice daily for 14 days. They were seen periodically on day 0, day 14, day 28, day 195 and 1 year after treatment with laboratory investigations for any side effects of the treatment. There was a statistically significant increase of total protein, albumin, alkaline phosphatase (ALP), aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) values when comparing the different periods. The abnormal results are clearly indicated in AST and ALT values (liver enzyme) especially on day 14 both male and female patients had highest levels. No significant association with time was found in ALP value.