[Effect of a novel drug--enteric coated tribendimidine in the treatment of intestinal nematode infections].

Objective: To study the therapeutic effect and possible adverse effects of tribendimidine enteric coated tablets in the treatment of infections due to hookworms, Ascaris lumbricoides, Trichuris trichiura, Enterobius vermicularis.

Methods: According to the standard clinical trial design and protocol, persons infected with hookworms, Ascaris lumbricoides, Trichuris trichiura, or Enterobius vermicularis respectively, were treated with tribendimidine enteric coated tablets in four counties of Guangdong and Jiangsu Provinces, albendazole was used as control.

Results: For hookworm infection, the curative rate (eggs negative in the faeces) were 89.5% (85/95) and 70.6% (60/85) with tribendimidine (400 mg) and albendazole(400 mg) respectively; for Ascaris infection, 97.4% (114/117) and 98.9% (91/92) with tribendimidine(300 mg) and albendazole(400 mg) respectively; for Trichuris infection, 33.3% (25/75) and 56.1% (23/41) with tribendimidine(400 mg/day for 3 days) and albendazole(400 mg/day for 3 days) respectively; for Enterobius infection in children, 74.1% (60/81) and 93.0% (40/43) with tribendimidine(200 mg) and albendazole(200 mg) respectively. No considerable side effect was found.

Conclusion: Tribendimidine is highly active in the treatment of hookworm, Ascaris lumbricoides infections, free of major adverse effect and easy to administer. It is more effective than albendazole for the infection of Necator americanus.