Quinacrine Treatment of Nitroimidazole-Refractory Giardiasis. (24th May 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Ydsten, Karin A; Hellgren, Urban; Asgeirsson, Hilmir
• Is Part Of: Journal of infectious diseases. Volume 225:Number 10(2022)
• Page Start: 1773
• Page End: 1776
• Publication Date: 2021-05-24
• Subjects: adverse effects -- epidemiology -- giardiasis -- nitroimidazole refractory -- nitroimidazole resistance -- quinacrine -- tolerability -- treatment; Communicable diseases -- Periodicals; Diseases -- Causes and theories of causation -- Periodicals; Medicine -- Periodicals; Communicable Diseases -- Periodicals; Electronic journals; 616.9
• DOI: 10.1093/infdis/jiab287
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0022-1899

Abstract

Abstract: Background: Limited evidence exists on efficacy and tolerability of quinacrine for nitroimidazole-refractory giardiasis. Methods: Nitroimidazole-refractory giardiasis cases, defined as microbiologically (microscopy and/or PCR) confirmed treatment failure after 2 courses, during 2008–2020, were retrospectively identified. Results: Of 87 patients, 54 (62%) had visited India. Quinacrine was used in 54 (62%); 51 received monotherapy and 3 combined with metronidazole. Only 3 had positive stool samples with persisting symptoms after quinacrine treatment (94% parasitological efficacy) and all were cured after a second treatment. One (1.9%) had mild adverse effects recorded. Conclusions: Quinacrine is an effective treatment for nitroimidazole-refractory giardiasis with good tolerability.