Evaluation of two doses of triclabendazole in treatment of patients with combined schistosomiasis and fascioliasis

To determine the safety and efficacy of 2 consecutive doses of triclabendazole (TCBTCBTCBZ) in the treatment of Schistosoma mansoni infection in human cases infected with both S. mansoni and Fasciola sp., we conducted a field survey involving 6314 individuals from 15 villages. The overall prevalence of schistosomiasis alone was 15.8%, of fascioliasis alone 2.2%, and of combined infection 0.7%. Treatment with 2 doses of TCBTCBTCBZ was given to the 49 cases with combined infection. Eight weeks after treatment, the cure rate was 96% for fascioliasis and was 32.7% for schistosomiasis. All schistosomiasis cases cured had a low intensity infection. Liver function tests done before treatment and 8 weeks after substantiate the safety of 2 doses of TCBTCBTCBZ given to those with combined infection. Administration of TCBTCBTCBZ should precede praziquantel in treatment of combined infection, however TCBTCBTCBZ cannot be recommended for infection with S. mansoni alone.