Mebendazole and Related Anthelmintics

It is proved that it is simply not true that Ascaris infection is harmless in most cases as often considered by other investigators.

Abstract

This chapter discusses the mebendazole and related anthelmintics. Ascaris lumbribcoides has been estimated to infect one-quarter of the world's population. In a review on costs, prevalence, and approaches for control of Ascaris infection in Kenya, Stephenson et al. collected evidence indicating that even light Ascaris infections may have detrimental effects on the growth of undernourished "preschool" children. These authors proved that it is simply not true that Ascaris infection is harmless in most cases as often considered by other investigators. Ascariasis is linked not only to poor growth and protein-caloric malnutrition but also to malabsorption of macronutrients and vitamin A. Ascaris affects the growth of pigs. Spindler (1947) artificially infected pigs with Ascaris suum eggs and determined 126 days later the weight increase in both infected and uninfected animals. A negative correlation was found between the number of Ascaris and weight increase.