Med Klin (Munich). 1998 Aug 15;93(8):463-7.
[Chemotherapy of alveolar echinococcosis with benzimidazoles. A prospective long-term study]

[Article in German]

Reuter S, Kratzer W, Kurz S, Wellinghausen N, Kern P.

Abteilung Innere Medizin III, Universitat Ulm.

BACKGROUND: Mebendazole and albendazole are the drugs of choice for the treatment of alveolar echinococcosis. In this prospective study we present and evaluate the outcome of the long-term treatment with both drugs. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Forty-four patients were treated with either mebendazole or albendazole and they were followed up for an average of 42 months. Success of treatment was defined as non-progression for more than 1 year. RESULTS: The overall success-rate was approximately 80% (35/44). An initial regimen was recurrence-free in 64% of cases under mebendazole and in 73% of cases under albendazole. Half of the cases with recurrent disease could be stabilized after changing the therapeutic regimen. Seven patients received a continuous regimen with albendazole. They were observed over an average of 19 months without signs of progression nor significant side effects. CONCLUSION: This open-labelled prospective study demonstrates the high therapeutic efficacy of both mebendazole and albendazole with similar response rates in the treatment of alveolar echinococcosis. In Germany, serum levels for mebendazole can easily be obtained at numerous institutes, while serum levels for albendazole are rarely available. On the other hand, albendazole reduces costs by over 40%. A simplified mode of intake and a reduced number of side effects argue in favor of the preferred use of albendazole. Albendazole in alveolar echinococcosis is only licensed for intermittent application. Nonetheless, continuous treatment may be considered in inoperable cases or progressive disease.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=9747101&dopt=Abstract albendazole Albenza




Vet Parasitol. 1998 Aug 14;78(3):223-31.
Sex differences in the disposition of albendazole metabolites in sheep.

Cristofol C, Navarro M, Franquelo C, Valladares JE, Arboix M.

Departament de Farmacologia i de Terapeutica, Facultat de Veterinaria, Bellaterra, Spain. ivftc.uab.es

Sex differences in the disposition of albendazole metabolites in sheep after oral administration of 20 mg/kg of netobimin have been studied. Some kinetic parameters of both metabolites show statistical differences between sexes; the sulphoxide and sulphone t1/2beta and MRT were lower in male animals than in females. Peak concentrations and AUC of sulphone metabolites were higher in males suggesting a greater oxidation rate compared with females. Urine excretion of albendazole metabolites, sulphoxide, sulphone, and amino sulphone appeared to be greater in female sheep than in males, mainly the sulphoxide metabolite. These differences between sexes can be caused by male sexual hormones, because testosterone and progesterone can induce or inhibit the microsomal Cytochrome P450 metabolism. Plasma protein-binding of albendazole sulphoxide and albendazole sulphone has been studied between male and female sheep, also their binding to sheep albumin and globulins. Both albendazole metabolites readily bind to sheep albumin and globulins. Male animals show a significantly lower binding of albendazole metabolites than females. These differences could be responsible for the non-esterified fatty acids (NEFA) present in the plasma. Males have significantly higher plasma levels of NEFA than females and which may compete with albumin for binding to albendazole metabolites.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=9760064&dopt=Abstract albendazole Albenza




Med Pregl. 1998;51 Suppl 1:57-60.
[Therapeutic approach to neurocysticercosis]

[Article in Croatian]

Canak G, Ilic A.

Klinika za infektivne bolesti, Klinicki centar, Novi Sad.

Neurocysticercosis is a clinical form of parasitic infection caused by Taenia solium. Therapy is recommended only for the symptomatic form of illness and whether to apply conservative and/or surgical treatment, depends on the localization of the infection in the nerve tissue, the number of cysts and symptoms of the infection. Conservative therapy (drug therapy and supportive therapy) is the therapy of choice for majority of patients, while Albendazole has proved better than Praziquantel in many clinical trials. The recommended dose of Albendazole is 10-15 mg/kg/24h during 8-28 days, whereas for Praziquantel it is 50 mg/kg/24h in three divided doses during 15 days. It is considered that combined therapy of Albendazole and Dexamethasone has better effects because of increased serum concentration of Albendazole metabolites. Implantation of intraventricular shunt and/or removal of cysts are surgical procedures in management of neurocysticercosis. Combined conservative and surgical treatment is most often applied in extraparenchymal forms and those parenchymal forms of neurocysticercosis in which symptoms persist despite antihelmintic therapy, while cysts are accessible for surgical treatment.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=9769658&dopt=Abstract albendazole Albenza




Acta Trop. 1998 Aug 15;71(1):27-44.
Efficacy of albendazole against Giardia and hookworm in a remote Aboriginal community in the north of Western Australia.

Reynoldson JA, Behnke JM, Gracey M, Horton RJ, Spargo R, Hopkins RM, Constantine CC, Gilbert F, Stead C, Hobbs RP, Thompson RC.

Division of Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences, Murdoch University, Western Australia, Australia. reynoldumbat.murdoch.edu.au

The parasitological, clinical efficacy and tolerability of albendazole in the treatment for both giardiasis and hookworm infection in a remote Aboriginal population was investigated. Albendazole at a dose rate of 400 mg daily for 5 days was highly effective in reducing hookworm egg numbers and both Giardia antigen and cysts. The 36.6% prevalence of Giardia prior to treatment fell to 12% between days 6 and 9, 15% for days 10-17 and rose to 28% between days 18 and 30. Tolerability and clinical efficacy were excellent. The effect of albendazole on hookworm was longer lasting than that on Giardia, reducing percent infection from over 76-2% on days 6-9 and zero by day 18-30 despite conditions highly conducive to rapid re-infection. We conclude that albendazole is highly efficacious against both parasites when used as described but that long term community benefit may require additional education programmes to avoid re-infection with Giardia although treatment strategies would seem appropriate for hookworm.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=9776141&dopt=Abstract albendazole Albenza




Zhongguo Ji Sheng Chong Xue Yu Ji Sheng Chong Bing Za Zhi. 1999;17(5):292-3.
[Effect of liposomal albendazole on the ultrastructure of Echinococcus granulosus cysts in mice]

[Article in Chinese]

Shao Y, Liu W, Wen H.

Department of General Surgery, First Teaching Hospital, Xingjiang Medical College, Urumqi 830000.

AIM: To observe the histopathological changes of Echinococcus granulosus cysts in mice treated with liposomal albendazole and co-administration with cimetidine by light microscopy and electron microscopy. METHODS: An oral dose of liposomal ABZ with different formulations was given at 200 mg/kg.d. Cimetidine was administered daily at an oral dose of 100 mg/kg.d. Sixty-seven mice were orally given different drugs six days per week for a total of twelve weeks. RESULTS: The histopathological changes indicated that there were significant differences (P < 0.01) between treated groups and control group. The degeneration and necrosis of E. granulosus cysts were marked in liposomal albendazole combined with cimetidin group. CONCLUSION: Liposomal albendazole was more effective against E. granulosus cyst than albendazole. Cimetidine had an apparent synergistic effect when given in combination with liposomal albendazle.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=12563861&dopt=Abstract albendazole Albenza [PubMed - in process]




J Food Prot. 1998 Nov;61(11):1484-8.
Albendazole-related drug residues in milk and their fate during cheesemaking, ripening, and storage.

Fletouris DJ, Botsoglou NA, Psomas IE, Mantis AI.

Milk Hygiene and Technology Laboratory, Aristotle University, Thessaloniki, Greece. botet.auth.gr

The level and nature of the albendazole residues in milk of treated cows were determined as a function of the time of milking (12-h intervals), and the fate of those residues during cheesemaking, ripening, and storage was examined when the obtained milk was used for making Teleme cheese. Ion-pair liquid chromatographic analysis with fluorescence detection showed that the albendazole sulfoxide metabolite reached its maximum (523 +/- 199 micrograms/kg) at the 1st milking and declined below the detection limit by the 4th milking. The sulfone metabolite attained its highest level (812 +/- 99 micrograms/kg) more slowly (at the 2nd milking) and declined below detection limit by the 13th milking. The 2-aminosulfone metabolite, which was present in the milk obtained at the 1st milking, reached its maximum (128 +/- 36 micrograms/kg) at the 3rd milking, and slowly declined to a level below detection limit by the 15th milking. Whey and cheese analysis revealed that about 70% of each major metabolite initially present in milk could be distributed in the whey. The remaining 30% occurred in the cheese at residue levels higher than those initially present in the milk of the 1st or 2nd milking (688 versus 445 or 450 versus 230 micrograms/kg for albendazole sulfoxide; 890 versus 608 or 1502 versus 783 micrograms/kg for albendazole sulfone; 19 versus 15 or 161 versus 105 micrograms/kg for albendazole 2-aminosulfone). Ripening and storage of the cheeses made from milks from the 1st or 2nd milkings results in a decrease of the sulfoxide metabolite (to 225 or 206 micrograms/kg), an increase of the sulfone metabolite (to 1,181 or 1,893 micrograms/kg), and no effect on the 2-aminosulfone metabolite.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=9829190&dopt=Abstract albendazole Albenza [PubMe




Antimicrob Agents Chemother. 1998 Dec;42(12):3301-3.
In vitro susceptibilities of the microsporidia Encephalitozoon cuniculi, Encephalitozoon hellem, and Encephalitozoon intestinalis to albendazole and its sulfoxide and sulfone metabolites.

Ridoux O, Drancourt M.

Unite des Rickettsies CNRS UPRES-A 6020, Faculte de Medecine, Universite de la Mediterranee, 13385 Marseille cedex 05, France.

In vitro comparisons demonstrated that the efficacy of albendazole, albendazole-sulfoxide, and albendazole-sulfone against pathogenic Encephalitozoon species was proportional to the degree of oxidation at a concentration of >10(-3) microgram/ml. Furthermore, at a concentration of <10(-2) microgram/ml, benzimidazoles were more effective against Encephalitozoon cuniculi and Encephalitozoon hellem than against Encephalitozoon intestinalis.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=9835533&dopt=Abstract albendazole Albenza