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Zulu, I, Kelly, P, Njobvu, L, Sianongo, S, Kaonga, K, McDonald, V, Farthing, M and Pollok, R (2005) Nitazoxanide for persistent diarrhoea in Zambian acquired immune deficiency syndrome patients: a randomized-controlled trial. Alimentary Pharmacology and Therapeutics, 21 (6). pp. 757-763. ISSN 0269-2813
Full text not available from this repository.Abstract
Background: Adults with acquired immune deficiency syndrome and persistent diarrhoea in Zambia have intestinal infection, predominantly protozoa.
Aim: To search for treatment which can be offered with minimal investigation, we carried out a double‐blind, randomized‐controlled trial of nitazoxanide (a drug with a range of activity against parasites and bacteria).
Methods: Patients with diarrhoea of 1 month duration or longer were randomized to receive nitazoxanide (1000 mg twice daily) or placebo for 2 weeks. End‐points were clinical response, parasitological clearance and mortality.
Results: Two hundred and seven adults were randomized; 42 died during the study. The primary assessment of efficacy was made after 17 days. Clinical response was observed in 56 (75%) of 75 patients receiving nitazoxanide and 45 (58%) of 77 patients receiving placebo (P = 0.03). The rate of improvement was markedly higher in patients with CD4 counts under 50 cells/μL receiving nitazoxanide (P = 0.007). The benefit was largely restricted to the period when the drug was being administered. No difference was seen in parasitological clearance between the two groups. Mortality was 19% by 4 weeks of follow‐up and did not differ with treatment allocation.
Conclusions: Nitazoxanide given orally for 14 days was associated with clinical improvement in Zambian acquired immune deficiency syndrome patients with diarrhoea, especially those with very low CD4 counts.
| Item Type: | Article |
|---|---|
| Schools and Departments: | Brighton and Sussex Medical School > Clinical and Experimental Medicine |
| Depositing User: | Adam Tickell |
| Date Deposited: | 07 Feb 2012 15:52 |
| Last Modified: | 15 Jul 2019 11:51 |
| URI: | http://sro.sussex.ac.uk/id/eprint/36119 |