Coadministración de albendazol con ivermectina para el tratamiento de Trichuris trichiura

Abstract

Parasitic infection caused by Trichuris trichiura represents a significant public health concern, particularly in developing regions where basic sanitation conditions are inadequate, most frequently affecting children and adolescents. Although albendazole is widely used as a first-line antiparasitic agent, its effectiveness as monotherapy against this helminthiasis has demonstrated therapeutic limitations. In response, the combination of albendazole with ivermectin has been proposed as an alternative treatment strategy, which is the focus of this literature review. The evidence gathered from recent controlled clinical trials and meta-analyses (2020–2024) indicates that this combination achieves significantly higher cure rates and a substantial reduction in egg burden, while also maintaining a favorable safety profile with mild and self-limiting adverse effects. These findings position the combined therapy as an effective tool for managing helminth infections in hyperendemic settings, with a strong recommendation for its integration into mass deworming programs, especially in school-aged populations. Therefore, current data suggest that combination therapy could represent a relevant public health intervention, showing potential benefits in individual clinical management and reducing community transmission. However, limitations include heterogeneity across studies, regional differences in treatment response, and the need for further research to validate its long-term effectiveness.

Keywords: Trichuris trichiura / Albendazole / Ivermectin / Combined therapy / Public health.