Treating Trichuris trichiura and hookworm infection with Emodepside
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Reviewed by Dat Tien Nguyen, B.A, ScM.
Translated by Nhi Phuong Quynh Le, B.A |
Posted on June 21st, 2023
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Albendazole had been used as a broad-spectrum anti-helminths with satisfactory efficacy against Ascaris lumbricoides and hookworms. However, albendazole is not very effective against Trichuris trichiura. Recent in vitro studies had shown that emodepside had exhibited great activity against soil-transmitted helminths. Thus, the European Research Council had sponsored a study to assess emodepside’s effect in treating Trichuris trichiura and hookworm infection.
The phase 2 clinical trials enrolled 442 adults between the age of 18 and 45 years old living in Tanzania. 266 of them were infected with Trichuris trichiura, and 176 were infected with hookworms. This diagnosis was made using a Kato-Katz thick smear, and those who have at least 48 eggs per gram of stool were included in the study. These participants were randomly assigned to be treated with one tablet containing either placebo, 400 mg of albendazole, or 6 different dose levels of emodepside (5, 10, 15, 20, 25, and 30 mg). Stool analysis was performed on day 14 and 21 after treatment to assess the efficacy. The study found that 5 mg of emodepside helped cure 85% of the participants of Trichuris trichiura; this was significantly higher than the 10% cure rate of placebo and 17% of albendazole. The same can be concluded with those who were infected with hookworm, because 5 mg of emodepside had a cure rate of 95% higher than the 14% in the placebo group. Safety was also assessed at 3, 24 and 48 hours post treatment, and those most commonly reported adverse effects in the emodepside group were headache, blurred vision, and dizziness. These reactions were mild and resolved within a day.
The phase 2 clinical trials enrolled 442 adults between the age of 18 and 45 years old living in Tanzania. 266 of them were infected with Trichuris trichiura, and 176 were infected with hookworms. This diagnosis was made using a Kato-Katz thick smear, and those who have at least 48 eggs per gram of stool were included in the study. These participants were randomly assigned to be treated with one tablet containing either placebo, 400 mg of albendazole, or 6 different dose levels of emodepside (5, 10, 15, 20, 25, and 30 mg). Stool analysis was performed on day 14 and 21 after treatment to assess the efficacy. The study found that 5 mg of emodepside helped cure 85% of the participants of Trichuris trichiura; this was significantly higher than the 10% cure rate of placebo and 17% of albendazole. The same can be concluded with those who were infected with hookworm, because 5 mg of emodepside had a cure rate of 95% higher than the 14% in the placebo group. Safety was also assessed at 3, 24 and 48 hours post treatment, and those most commonly reported adverse effects in the emodepside group were headache, blurred vision, and dizziness. These reactions were mild and resolved within a day.