Ovicidal effects of albendazole in human ascariasis, ancylostomiasis and trichuriasis

Albendazole, a broad spectrum anthelmintic, was administered as a 400 mg single dose to 20 patients harbouring Ascaris (ten cases), hookworms (four cases each of Ancylostoma duodenale and Necator americanus) and trichuriasis (ten cases). Faeces were obtained before treatment and during the following five days. Coprocultures were made for 90 days for Ascaris and Trichuris eggs, hookworm eggs were cultured by the Harada-Mori technique for at least eight days. Albendazole was ovicidal against all four genera of nematodes.