A longitudinal study of the persence of gastrointestinal tract parasitic infections in children of St. Kitts over the 15-year period, 1982-1997

When 188 (1962), 266 (1991) and 222 (1997) five and nine year old children in St. Kitts were assessed for the presence of parasitic infections, there were significant reductions in the prevalence of trichurias from 83 percent through 58 percent to 27 percent, of ascariasis from 24 percent through 8.6 percent to 0.9 percent and of giardiasis from 15 percent through 9.4 percent to 5 percent, respectively; over the 15 year period. Anthelminthic use, which appeared to be the most important responsible intervention tool, remained roughly at the same level at 59-51 percent. However, the types of anthelminthics used changed over the period. Piperazine citrate, which was used by 66 percent in 1982, had only 35 percent usage in 1991 and 11.3 percent in 1197. Albendazole, which was not used at all in 1982, was taken by 32 percent of the children in 1991 and 45.9 percent in 1997, and at the same time use of laevo-tetramisole increase by 20 percent in 1991 from 14 percent in 1982, to 42.9 percent in 1997. Details are given of a proposed island-wide parasitic infection with the assistance of identified private and public sector partners.(AU)

Significant reductions in the rates of gastrointestinal tract parasitic infections in children of St. Vincent over a thirteen-year period (1979-1992) - abstract

When 314 (1979) and 207 (1992) five- to nine-year old school children in St. Vincent were investigated for the presence of parasitic infections, there were significant reductions in the prevalence of trichuriasis (75 per cent to 21.7 per cent), ascariasis (37 per cent to 8.6 per cent), amoebiasis (9 per cent to 2.8 per cent) and giardiasis (10 per cent to 5.3 per cent) over the 13-year interval. Anthelminthic use remained at 63 - 65 per cent, but the brands of worm medicines taken changed over the period. Thus, whilst piperazine citrate was used by 41 per cent of the children in 1979, only 4.8 per cent of them used it in 1992. Albendazole which was used by a great majority (42.5 per cent) in 1992 was never used in 1979. Commensals were observed in 211 (67 per cent) children in 1979, and in 83 (40 per cent) children in 1992 (AU)

A clinical trial to study the effectiveness of CI-578 in the treatment of ascaris and/or oxyuris infections

Both CI-578 suspension and CI-578 lozenges appear to be effective in eliminating ascaris and oxyuris infections although the lozenges were slightly better than the suspension for the elimination of oxyuris infections. Although a larger number of different types of symptoms were reported in the lozenge group, there was little difference between treatment groups in either frequency of occurrence of symptoms or severity of symptoms. Symptoms due to the drugs in both treatment groups had disappeared by day 7 (AU)