Chemotherapeutic control of Enterobius vermicularis infection in orphanages.

To observe the effect of egg-free state in an institute on the endemicity of Enterobius vermicularis, the theoretical condition was made by repeated chemotherapy. Mebendazole or pyrantel pamoate were administered to all orphans and their staffs concomitantly for four times, each 20-day interval. In two low endemic orphanages, in which mean egg positive rates were 18 % and 39 % respectively, the pinworm infection was controlled up to 6~7 months period. And other two highly endemic orphanages, with 70% and 55% of egg positive rates, were controlled up to 90th day after the first treatment. After then up to 7 months, the reinfection occurred, but the endemicity was brought down to about 20 % of egg positivity.