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

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 e...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Tropical Diseases, Travel Medicine and Vaccines
Main Authors: Gaurav Nepal, Ghanshyam Kharel, Yow Ka Shing, Rajeev Ojha, Sujan Jamarkattel, Jayant Kumar Yadav, Himani Vyas, Dhiraj Poudyal, Ranjit Sah
Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
Language:English
Published: BMC 2020
Subjects:
Neurocysticercosis
Albendazole
Soil-transmitted helminths
Lymphatic filariasis
Arctic medicine. Tropical medicine
RC955-962
Arctic
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1186/s40794-020-00122-2
https://doaj.org/article/7ce04311a0964fa8a46a7ce422dddb64
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Summary: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.

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