Treatment of Asymptomatic Toxocariasis With Albendazole in Children

Treatment of Asymptomatic Toxocariasis With Albendazole in Children. A Prospective, Randomized, Placebo-controlled Clinical Trial

The purpose of this study is to evaluate effectiveness of albendazole in the treatment of the asymptomatic infection with the parasite Toxocara in children. Treatment response is defined as a reduction in the number of eosinophils in blood. The study drug will be compared to placebo and randomly assigned in a double blind manner. Follow up will be prospective. 50 children (25 per group) will be enrolled in the study.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Pediatric ambulatory patients with asymptomatic toxocariasis
• Children 2 - 15 years old
• Absolute eosinophil count > 1100 / mm3
• Normal ophthalmoscopy

Exclusion Criteria:

• Treatment with a benzimidazole in the previous year
• Infection by other nematodes (Ascaris lumbricoides, strongyloides stercoralis, uncinarias, Trichuris trichuria)
• Symptomatic patients (prolonged fever, acute pneumonitis, hepatomegaly, splenomegaly, ocular compromise due to toxocara)
• Concomitant diseases
• Immunocompromised patients
• Altered liver or kidney function
• Pregnancy