Soil-transmitted helminths

Bethony J et al Soil-transmitted helminth infections ascariasis, trichuriasis, and hookworm. Lancet 2006 367 1521. [PMID 16679166]... 

Keiser J, Utzinger J Efficacy of current drugs against soil-transmitted helminth infections Systematic review and metaanalysis. JAMA 2008 299 1937. [PMID 18430913]... 

Soil-transmitted helminth infections, primarily as-cariasis and trichuriasis, were found among children in Aceh Besar and Simeulue, where approximately 75 % of school-aged children and half of children aged 6 months to 59 months were infected (GDG, 2006). Helminth infection was significantly lower among children in Banda Aceh than among children in the other two districts (GDG, 2006). 

Mebendazole exerts its effects slowly (3 days), and effectiveness of treatment depends on the degree of infection or resistance of the parasites to treatment. Phenytoin or car-bamazepine reduce the plasma level of mebendazole. The major nematode parasites of humans include soil-transmitted helminths (STHs sometimes referred to as geohelminths ) and the filarial nematodes. 

Marti, H., Haji, H. J., Savioli, L., Chwaya, H. M., Mgeni, A. E, Ameir, J. S., and Hatz, C. (1996). A comparative trial of a single-dose ivermectin versus three days of albendazole for treatment of Strongyloides stercoralis and other soil-transmitted helminth infections in children. Am. J. Trop. Med. Hyg. 55,477—481. 

The major nematode parasites of humans include the soil-transmitted helminths (STHs) and the filarial nematodes. The STH infections, which include ascariasis, trichuriasis, and hookworm infection, are among the most prevalent infections in developing countries. Eradication programs use schools to administer broad-spectrum anthelmintics on a periodic and frequent basis. The most widely used agents for reducing morbidity are the benzimidazole anthelmintics (BZAs), either albendazole (albenza and zentel) or mebendazole (VEEtMOX) (see Table 41-1). 

Praziquantel (40 mg/kg), mefloquine (25 mg/kg), artesunate (3 doses of 4 mg/kg), and mefioquine + artesunate (3 doses of artesunate 100 mg - - mefloquine 250mg) have been compared in a randomized open trial in 83 schoolchildren with Schistosoma haematobium infections [22 ]. The effects on Schistosoma mansoni, malaria parasitemia, soil-transmitted helminths, and intestinal protozoa were also determined. Cure rates were 88%, 21 %, 25 %, and 61 % respectively. Both mefloquine-I-artesunate and praziquantel resulted in greater than 95% egg reduction rates. There were significantly lower egg reduction rates with artesunate (85%) and mefloquine (74%). In children co-infected with S. mansoni, praziquantel and mefloquine+artesunate, but not mefloquine and artesunate alone, resulted in high cure rates and egg reduction rates. Mefloquine, artesunate, and mefloquine-I-artesunate completely cured infections due to Plasmodium falciparum. There were no effects against soil-transmitted helminths and intestinal protozoa. There were four cases of mild headache (two with mefloquine and two with praziquantel) and two cases of moderate coughing (one with artesunate and one with mefloquine) both symptoms were also reported before treatment. There were 48 mild and 70 moderate adverse events recorded at 24,48, and 72 hours after... 

A cross-sectional study examined 386 children aged 4-15 in Biankouma, Cote d Ivoire, who were infected with schistosomiasis and soil-transmitted helminthes and were then treated with single-dose PZQ 40mg/kg and albendazole as needed. About 40.8% (exact number unavailable) reported minor adverse effects including abdominal pain, headache and itching2-Ah after intake of PZQ [61 j. 

Parker M, Allen T, Hastings J. Resisting control of neglected tropical diseases dilemmas in the mass treatment of schistosomiasis and soil-transmitted helminths in north-west Uganda. J Biosoc Sci 2008 40(2) 161-81. 

Vercruysse J, Levecke B, Prichard R. Human soil-transmitted helminths implications of mass drug administration. Curr Opin Infect Dis December 2012 25(6) 703-8. 

Schwab AE, Boakye DA, Kyelem D, Prichard RK. Detection of benzimidazole resistance-associated mutations in the filarial nematode Wuch-ereria h(mcrofti and evidence for selection by albendazole and ivermectin combination treatment. Am J Trop Med Hyg 2005 73 234-8. Diawara A, Schwenkenbecher JM, Kaplan RM, Prichard RK. Molecular and biological diagnostic tests for monitoring benzimidazole resistance in human soil-transmitted helminths. Am J Trop Med Hyg 2013 88(6) 1052-61. 

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