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. 2020 Oct 23:6:22.
doi: 10.1186/s40794-020-00122-2. eCollection 2020.

The dangers of mass drug administration of albendazole in Nepal, a Neurocysticercosis-endemic region

Gaurav Nepal  1 , Ghanshyam Kharel  2 , Yow Ka Shing  3 , Rajeev Ojha  4 , Sujan Jamarkattel  5 , Jayant Kumar Yadav  1 , Himani Vyas  6 , Dhiraj Poudyal  1 , Ranjit Sah  7
Affiliations

The dangers of mass drug administration of albendazole in Nepal, a Neurocysticercosis-endemic region

Gaurav Nepal et al. Trop Dis Travel Med Vaccines. .

Abstract

The majority of cases of Neurocysticercosis (NCC) are asymptomatic. Injudicious use of antihelmintics like albendazole (ALB) can cause cyst degeneration and perilesional inflammation, thus rendering asymptomatic individuals symptomatic with seizures, headache, vascular events, or cerebral edema. Mass drug administration (MDA) using ALB is a very common practice in developing countries like Nepal to contain transmission of soil-transmitted helminths (STH) and lymphatic filariasis (LF). Although the benefits of ALB-based MDA in the general population cannot be undermined, there can be severe consequences in certain groups, especially those with latent NCC. In this commentary, we discuss the effect it may have on such patients, and suggest potential solutions.

Keywords: Albendazole; Lymphatic filariasis; Neurocysticercosis; Soil-transmitted helminths.

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Conflict of interest statement

Competing interestsNone.

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