Albendazole: a new therapeutic regimen in cutaneous larva migrans.

BACKGROUND: Various therapeutic modalities have been used to treat cutaneous larva migrans, including physical treatments (cryotherapy), topical drugs (tiabendazole), and systemic drugs (tiabendazole, albendazole, and ivermectin). Physical treatments are often ineffective and not devoid of side-effects. Topical tiabendazole is difficult to find in many countries; it is effective orally but frequently causes side-effects. Ivermectin has been used in a small number of patients.

METHODS: Eleven (six men and five women) adult patients with cutaneous larva migrans characterized by multiple and/or diffuse lesions were treated with oral albendazole (400 mg daily for 7 days). No other topical or systemic drugs were used and no physical treatment was given.

RESULTS: All patients were cured at the end of treatment. No side-effects were complained of or observed, and no laboratory abnormalities were recorded. No recurrences were observed.

CONCLUSIONS: Albendazole is effective in the treatment of cutaneous larva migrans characterized by multiple and/or diffuse lesions. This new therapeutic regimen can reduce the number of no responses and recurrences, sometimes observed following shorter (e.g. 3-5 days) treatments with albendazole. The longer duration of treatment is not accompanied by the appearance of new and/or more severe side-effects.