Evaluation of nitazoxanide and oxfendazole efficacy against cystic echinococcosis in naturally infected sheep

Cesar M. Gavidia, Armando E. Gonzalez, Luis Lopera, Cesar Jayashi, Roxana Angelats, Eduardo A. Barron, Berenice Ninaquispe, Lucia Villarreal, Hector H. Garcia, Manuela R. Verastegui, Robert H. Gilman

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

30 Scopus citations

Abstract

Cystic echinococosis (CE) is a public health problem caused by Echinococcus granulosus. We aimed to determine the efficacy of nitazoxanide (NTZ) and oxfendazole (OXF) against CE in naturally infected sheep. A total of 151 ewes were assigned to the following groups: 15 mg/kg of NTZ weekly for five weeks (NTZ5); two rounds of 15 mg/ kg of NTZ a day for five days (NTZ5×2) two weeks apart; 30 mg/kg of OXF a week for 11 weeks (OXF11); 30 mg/kg of OXF plus 15 mg/kg of NTZ a week for 11 weeks (OXF/NTZ); and the control group. OXF11 and OXF/NTZ decreased the number of fertile cysts, increased the number of degenerated cysts, and were more efficacious (49.6-61.2%) against lung cysts and liver cysts (91.8-100%) than any other treatment group. OXF might be an additional strategy for control programs and an optional treatment of human CE after it is licensed.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)367-372
Number of pages6
JournalAmerican Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene
Volume80
Issue number3
DOIs
StatePublished - Mar 2009

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Parasitology
  • Virology
  • Infectious Diseases

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Evaluation of nitazoxanide and oxfendazole efficacy against cystic echinococcosis in naturally infected sheep'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this