Treatment of human tungiasis with niridazole (Ambilhar) a double-blind placebo-controlled trial

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Abstract
Following the observation that children treated for urinary schistosomiasis also become free from ulcers caused by gravid human fleas, Tunga penetrans, a double-blind placebo-controlled trial was carried out against flea ulcers using a single or double dose of niridazole (Ambilhar) at 30 mg kg−1 body weight. Seventy-eight children treated with the single dose showed alleviation of local pruritus and total lysis of the embedded gravid flea within two weeks; healing of the ulcer crater averaged three weeks. Thirty-four children were given two doses of niridazole with an interval of one week. The results were similar to those with the single dose but healing occurred in only two weeks. Treatment was effective in all the children; side effects were limited to abdominal pain, vomiting and nausea (21 out of 135: 15·6°0). Twenty-three age and sex-matched control children received ascorbic acid as placebo. The addition of niridazole to pig feed is recommended, also that parents should encourage their children to wear shoes as means of controlling human tungiasis.

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