Antigiardial and antiamebic activities of fexinidazole and its metabolites: new drug leads for giardiasis and amebiasis.

The intestinal parasites and are major causes of morbidity and mortality associated with diarrheal diseases. Metronidazole is the most common drug used to treat giardiasis and amebiasis. Despite its efficacy, treatment failures in giardiasis occur in up to 5%-40% of cases.