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Treatment of Trichuriasis with ‘Enseals’ of Emetine Hydrochloride
Summary and Conclusions
- 1. Emetine hydrochloride, in enteric-sealed tablets, was used to treat Trichuris infestations in 23 patients. Approximately 88 percent of the adult worms were lost by this group, 11 losing all adult worms then in the distal part of the intestine.
- 2. This drug caused some elimination of Enterobius, Ascaris and Necator. However, it did not appear to be as effective against Ascaris and hookworm as are other drugs.
- 3. Nausea and vomiting occurred in a few patients and diarrhea was present to some extent in all patients. Blood, mucus and intestinal mucosa appeared in the stools of most of the patients during diarrhea, but disappeared as a rule when stools became formed again. No secondary infections developed and no ill effects were found, other than the above.
- 4. Six weeks after treatment the majority of patients showed an increase in weight and a decrease in eosinophilia as a result of loss of most of the Trichuris, even though other infestations were still present.
- 5. Emetine hydrochloride, in enteric-sealed tablets, appears to be less variable in its action than leche de higueron and less drastic in its action on the patient than ficin in large dosages. Therefore, it is believed that it may be found to be the drug of choice for Trichuris infestations.
Author Notes
Parasitologist, South Carolina State Hospital, Columbia, S. C.
Senior Assistant Physician, South Carolina State Hospital, Columbia, S. C.