treatment

Last reviewed 01/2018

ivermectin –

• is the drug of choice to achieve parasitological cure (absence of larvae on stool examination).
• 2×200 μg/kg doses of oral ivermectin is given two weeks apart

Albendazole, is a reasonalble alternative in patients who do not tolerate ivermectin (1).

Repeat serological testing is used as an indicator of treatment efficacy

• a decrease in the antibody titre  at 6-12 months after treatment is considered to be an indicator of  eradication of the parasit
• a significant decrease in blood eosinophil count  can also be used as an effective tool (1)

Reference:

• (1) Greaves D et al. Strongyloides stercoralis infection. BMJ. 2013;347:f4610