Effectiveness of Combined Albendazole and Ivermectin Treatment for Intestinal Worm Infections

NCT ID: NCT00207753

Last Updated: 2005-11-17

Basic Information

• Recruitment Status: COMPLETED
• Clinical Phase: NA
• Total Enrollment: 550 participants
• Study Classification: INTERVENTIONAL
• Study Start Date: 2005-02-28
• Study Completion Date: 2005-03-31

Brief Summary

The aim of this study is to compare the efficacy and impact on growth of two drug treatments against intestinal worms in schoolchildren from a rural area of Guatemala. According to the World Bank, these intestinal worms are one of the top causes of childhood health problems in many areas of the developing world (The World Bank, 1993). Infected children are more likely to have inadequate nutrition due to the worm infections and are more likely to be shorter in height and weigh less than children who are not infected. After collecting height and weight information, we will split the children into two groups. One group will receive albendazole and the other group will receive combined albendazole/ivermectin. Both groups will be receiving albendazole, the current standard of care treatment. Ivermection is expected to improve efficacy and nutritional benefit as well as add increased scope of treatment for the worm Strongyloides, and ectoparasites such as scabies and head lice. Both treatment regimens and the combination have been used millions of times in the developing world and are safe to use. Co-administration of drugs would be a more efficient use of the opportunity to access schoolchildren and provide deworming treatment.

Detailed Description

The aim of this study is to compare the efficacy and nutritional impact of two drug treatments against intestinal helminths from a rural area of Guatemala. The helminths that will be analyzed in this study are Ascaris lumbricoides, Trichuris trichiura, and hookworm. Because of the manifestations of these helminths infections, nutritional status can deteriorate in infected persons. According to the World Bank, these helminths are one of the top causes of childhood morbidity in many areas of the developing world (The World Bank, 1993).

This information will be gathered by collecting stool samples from schoolchildren, in order to determine the prevalence of infection in children living around Poptun, Guatemala. Height and weight measurements will also be taken, along with a visual exam of the skin for other parasitic skin infections. Children with an inadequate nutritional status are likely to be shorter in height and weigh less than children reared in an area with a low prevalence of helminths. After collecting this baseline information, we will split the children into two groups. One group will receive albendazole and the other group will receive albendazole/ivermectin. Both groups will be receiving is albendazole, the current standard of care treatment. Ivermectin is expected to improve efficacy and nutritional benefit as well as adding increased scope of treatment (Strongyloides, ectoparasites such as scabies and head lice). Both treatment regimens and the combination have been used millions of times in the developing world and are safe to use. Co-administration of drugs is thought to be a more efficient use of the opportunity to access schoolchildren and provide health improvements. Providing data to support expanded treatment options will provide public health officials with the data needed to make such decisions.

Conditions

Ascariasis; Trichuriasis; Hookworm Infection; Strongyloidiasis; Pediculosis

Keywords

ascaris; trichuris; strongyloides; hookworm; head lice

Study Design

• Allocation Method: RANDOMIZED
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Primary Study Purpose: TREATMENT
• Blinding Strategy: DOUBLE

Interventions

albendazole vs. combined albendazole/ivermectin treatment

Intervention Type: DRUG

Eligibility Criteria

Inclusion Criteria

Children will be eligible to participate in the study if they are between 5 and 12 years of age, are students in schools selected for study, and if parental consent and child assent for participation has been obtained.

Exclusion Criteria

those not fitting criteria above

• Minimum Eligible Age: 5 Years
• Maximum Eligible Age: 12 Years
• Eligible Sex: ALL
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: Yes

Sponsors

Universidad del Valle, Guatemala

OTHER

Sponsor Role: collaborator

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

FED

Sponsor Role: lead

Principal Investigators

Michael J Beach, Ph.D.

Role: PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Byron Arana, MD

Role: PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

MERTU/CDC-Universite de Valle de Guatemala

Locations

Various elementary schools

Poptún, Departamento del Petén, Guatemala

Countries

Guatemala

References

Stephenson LS, Latham MC, Ottesen EA. Global malnutrition. Parasitology. 2000;121 Suppl:S5-22. doi: 10.1017/s0031182000006478.

Reference Type: BACKGROUND

PMID: 11386691 (View on PubMed)

Stephenson LS, Latham MC, Ottesen EA. Malnutrition and parasitic helminth infections. Parasitology. 2000;121 Suppl:S23-38. doi: 10.1017/s0031182000006491.

Reference Type: BACKGROUND

PMID: 11386688 (View on PubMed)

Horton J, Witt C, Ottesen EA, Lazdins JK, Addiss DG, Awadzi K, Beach MJ, Belizario VY, Dunyo SK, Espinel M, Gyapong JO, Hossain M, Ismail MM, Jayakody RL, Lammie PJ, Makunde W, Richard-Lenoble D, Selve B, Shenoy RK, Simonsen PE, Wamae CN, Weerasooriya MV. An analysis of the safety of the single dose, two drug regimens used in programmes to eliminate lymphatic filariasis. Parasitology. 2000;121 Suppl:S147-60. doi: 10.1017/s0031182000007423.

Reference Type: BACKGROUND

PMID: 11386686 (View on PubMed)

World Health Organization, 1992. Health of school children: treatment of intestinal helminths and schistosomiasis. Geneva: WHO.

Reference Type: BACKGROUND

Other Identifiers

CDC-NCID-4283

Identifier Type: -

Identifier Source: org_study_id