In vivo efficacy of albendazole against Giardia duodenalis in mice.

The antigiardial effects of albendazole were demonstrated in vivo using experimental infections of Giardia duodenalis in mice. These results complement previous in vivo studies in which albendazole was shown to have more potent antigiardial action than the currently applied antigiardial drugs. In mice, 2-4 doses (greater than 100 mg/kg twice daily) were required for complete inhibition of cyst excretion and full elimination of trophozoites from the small intestine. The high doses necessary in mice were not unexpected and are discussed in light of the possible pharmacokinetics of albendazole in the animal model used in this study.