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Evaluation of Levamisole Activity on Ascaris lumbricoides and Hookworm Infections - A Therapeutic Trial
Abstract
Thirty Ascaris lumbricoides and 30 hookworm-infected patients attending the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital and Rex Medical Center, Port Harcourt were treated with clinically-accepted regimen of levamisole (3 tablets
[120mg] as a single dose). Pre- and post-treatment stool specimens were examined microscopically for ova of A. lumbricoides and hookworm and for total egg counts. Using the absence of the helminth ova in post – treatment stool sample as criteria for cure, 73.7% and 66.7% cure rates were observed for A. lumbricoides and hookworm infections respectively. The result
showed that the local A. lumbricodes and hookworm strains might be developing resistance against levamisole and that the drug is more effective in the treatment of ascariasis than hookworm infections.
[120mg] as a single dose). Pre- and post-treatment stool specimens were examined microscopically for ova of A. lumbricoides and hookworm and for total egg counts. Using the absence of the helminth ova in post – treatment stool sample as criteria for cure, 73.7% and 66.7% cure rates were observed for A. lumbricoides and hookworm infections respectively. The result
showed that the local A. lumbricodes and hookworm strains might be developing resistance against levamisole and that the drug is more effective in the treatment of ascariasis than hookworm infections.
