Albendazole [KLH]

The presence of veterinary medicines in organic manure causes soil contamination which contributes to increasing resistance of indigenous microflora to drugs and results in greater susceptibility of people to allergies. The main aim of the study was to assess the efficiency of inorganic peroxide mixtures (PM) with calcium peroxide content (CaO2) in the stabilization process of manure contaminated with antiparasitic agents: albendazole (ALB) and levamisole (LEV). As a solid, CaO2 is relatively stable against decomposition. In contact with water, however, it hydrolyzes with release of oxygen. The hydrolyzation of CaO2 proceeds very slowly in soil, which guarantees the constant release of hydrogen peroxide that subsequently becomes the source of free radicals (chemical oxidation) and oxygen (aerobic conditions for the microbes). It may contribute to continuous elimination of drugs from manure. The study has demonstrated that there were significant differences in ALB and LEV conversion stimulated by the PM addition. PM supplementation increased the drug availability (on average 15% and 25% increase in the initial concentration for ALB and for LEV, respectively), thereby increasing the initial rate of reaction. Elimination of ALB and LEV from the manure sorption complex is followed by Ca2+ saturation. The initial degradation rate was affected by PM for both drugs, but the mechanisms of decomposition have been modified only for ALB. The loss of ALB in the peroxide supplemented samples was 92%, and in the samples, without the PM, it did not exceed 61%. Loss of LEV was over 90% irrespective of PM supplementation.

BackgroundThe management of disseminated cysticercosis is unclear and largely considered hazardous. The role of albendazole remains controversial in such patients.MethodsA tertiary care, University hospital-based prospective intervention study was conducted from December 2015 to December 2017. Patients with disseminated cysticercosis, defined as the presence of multiple viable neurocysticerci (>= 3) in the brain along with involvement of an additional extra site, were included in the study. Patients with cysticercal encephalitis were excluded. A detailed evaluation, including ophthalmoscopy, ocular B scans, ultrasound abdomen, and X-rays were done. Albendazole was administered at a dose of 15mg/kg/day in 3cycles of 28days each. All patients were also given adjuvant corticosteroids and anti-epileptic drugs. Clinical and radiological follow up was carried out at a difference of 3months between each treatment cycle. For radiological quantification, lesions were counted at 10 pre-specified levels. Statistical analysis was done to estimate the difference in seizure frequency and lesion load.ResultsTwenty-nine patients (21 with >20 lesions; 8 with <= 20 lesions) were given albendazole as per the protocol. There was a significant reduction in the occurrence of seizures (P<0.001) and headache (P<0.001). A significant reduction in lesion load from baseline to third follow-up was seen in the estimations done at different levels (P<0.001). No patient developed serious side-effect warranting cessation of therapy.ConclusionCyclical use of albendazole appears efficacious in treating disseminated cysticercosis. The method of quantification described may be used in future studies for objective assessment.Trial registrationISRCTN11630542; 28th September 2019; Retrospectively registered.