COMBINATION OF PRAZIQUANTEL AND ALBENDAZOLE IN THE TREATMENT OF HYDATID-DISEASE

This is a preliminary report on the first four patients with pelvic, a bdominal and thoracic hydatid disease, who are receiving combined medi cal treatment (albendazole 400 mg bd on monthly courses plus praziquan tel 50 mg/kg in different regimens). Response to treatment was monitor ed clinically, biochemically and radiologically by means of computed t omography (CT) and abdominal sonography (US). No side effects were obs erved in the course of this treatment. After 3 months of using the com bined treatment, cysts disappeared completely in three patients and in the fourth patient, a reduction in cysts size by more than 75 % after two months combination treatment was observed. This combination thera py as a human trial has not been reported previously. This preliminary report shows that the response to combined treatment is better and mu ch quicker compared to albendazole alone.