[COMPARATIVE STUDY OF ALBENDAZOLE VERSUS NITROFURANS AND NITROIMIDAZOLES IN THE TREATMENT OF GIARDIASIS IN CHILDREN]

A prospective, longitudinal, comparative, open and aleatory study in Jaen (Cajamarca--Peru), was performed during November 1997 and January of 1998. The objective was to demonstrate the efficacy and tolerance of Albendazol compared with Metronidazol, Furazolidona, Tinidazol and Secnidazol in the treatment of giardiasis in children. 79 children with giardiasis, confirmed by parasitologic studies were evaluated and distributed randorrily for aleatory code in A,B,C,D and E groups. The A group received Albendazol (5 days), the B group Metronidazol (10 days), the C group Furazolidona (10 days), the D group Tinidazol (1 d a) and the E group Secnidazol (1 d a); Clinical controls and coproparasitologic studies were performad during and after the treatment. The cl nical efficacy in the groups was of 100% and the efficacy coproparas tological of 94.1% with Albendazol, 93.3% with Secnidazol and 100% with Metronidazol. Furazolidona and Tinidazol. The global efficacy was excel lent with Al bendazol in 64,7% and in less than 40% with the other drugs, being the biggest pharmacological tolerance with Albendazol (82,3%) and Secnidazol (80%). We conclude that Albendazol is as effective as Metronidazol, Furazolidona, Tinidazol and Secnidazol but faster in eradicating the Giardia lambila in children and with better tolerance that Metronidazol, Furazolidona and Tinidazol. We consider necessary to control Epidemiological factor associated, to eradicate the parasite permanently.