ARTICLE
Cutaneous larva migrans (CLM) is an infestation caused by the
penetration and migration in the skin of nematode larvae: Ancylostoma
braziliense and Ancylostoma caninum are the species most frequently
involved [1].
CLM is characterized clinically by slightly raised tracks: they are
erythematous, linear or, more often, serpiginous, ramified and intertwined,
of variable length (sometimes many centimetres) and width (generally 2-4
mm) [1].
CLM may be treated by physical means (ethyl chloride and cryotherapy),
topical drugs (tiabendazole) and oral drugs (tiabendazole, albendazole
and ivermectin). Physical treatments are ineffective in extensive and/or
multiple lesions. Topical tiabendazole is effective, but it is not on
the market in many countries. It is also effective orally, but it frequently
causes side effects [1]. Ivermectin was first used in the therapy of CLM
in 1992 by Caumes et al. [2]: despite the small number of patients
treated [3-5], ivermectin appears to be very effective in CLM; however,
in several countries it is on the market only for use in veterinary medicine.
In 1997 we published the preliminary results of a clinical study on
the use of oral albendazole, according to a new therapeutic regimen (400
mg/day for 7 days), in 11 patients affected by cutaneous larva migrans,
characterized by extensive and/or multiple lesions [1].
We present now the final results based on a group of 24 patients.
Patients and methods
The case list consists of 24 Caucasian patients (13 males and 11 females,
aged between 17 and 68 years; mean age: 31.1 years) with CLM characterized
by extensive and/or multiple lesions.
In all the patients at least one foot was involved. Other localizations
were breasts (2 patients), abdomen (2 patients), buttocks (2 patients),
thighs (2 patients) and calf (1 patient).
The infestation was contracted in Mexico (6 patients), Jamaica (4 patients),
Cuba (2 patients), Thailand (2 patients), Malaysia (2 patients), and Greece,
Dominican Republic, Barbados, Saint-Martin, Anguilla, Antigua, Kenya and
Zanzibar (one patient each).
The diagnosis was based on the history and clinical picture. Moreover,
13 patients (54.1%) were subjected to epiluminescent microscopy. Skin
biopsy was not performed.
No patient had been previously treated with topical or systemic drugs
or any physical modality.
The patients were subjected to laboratory examinations (among others:
full blood count with total eosinophil count, total IgE, inflammatory
tests, liver tests, renal tests and urinalysis) before and after the therapy.
Albendazole was administered orally at a dosage of 400 mg/day for 7 days.
No other topical or systemic drug was used nor any physical treatment.
The patients were followed up for at least 3 months after the end of the
therapy.
Results
Epiluminescent microscopy was positive in 1 out of 13 patients (7.6%).
All patients were cured at the end of the therapy. The disappearance
of pruritus was observed after 2-3 days and of skin lesions after 6-7
days of therapy.
No side effect was either complained of or observed. No laboratory abnormality
was recorded.
No recurrence was observed.
Discussion
Albendazole is a benzoimidazole drug which has been successfully used
in nematode and cestode infestations [1]. The mechanism of action of albendazole
is still not completely known and a number of hypotheses have been advanced.
The degeneration of cytoplasmic microtubules of the helminth, with release
of proteolytic and hydrolytic enzymes in the cytoplasm and consequent
cellular lysis, represents the most likely hypothesis [1].
Albendazole was employed for the first time in the therapy of CLM in
1982 by Coulaud et al. [6], who successfully treated 18 patients.
Since then, as far as we know, more than 100 cases have been published
[4, 7-26]. The drug was effective in the great majority of patients. However,
both the daily dosage and the duration of the therapy have not yet been
defined in a definite way. In fact, daily dosages used ranged between
400 and 800 mg and the duration of the therapy ranged from 1 to 7 days.
We decided to use the drug at the dosage of 400 mg/day for 7 days because
of reports of lack of cure or recurrences even after 5 days of therapy
[8, 12, 13]. Furthermore, we had previously observed several patients
in whom a 5-day therapy was not sufficient [unpublished data].
Our case list, smaller only than that of Sanguigni
et al. [12], confirms that albendazole is effective in the treatment
of CLM characterized by extensive and/or multiple lesions. Its action
is rapid, with the complete disappearance of pruritus after 2-3 days and
the cutaneous lesions after 6-7 days of therapy. The anti-pruritic activity
allows us to avoid the use of systemic anti-histamines. Furthermore, this
new therapeutic regimen avoids recurrences. Finally, the longer duration
of the therapy is not accompanied by the appearance of more severe and/or
new side effects and/or laboratory abnormalities.
On the basis of these results, we believe that albendazole represents
the drug of choice in the therapy of CLM characterized by extensive and/or
multiple lesions.
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