Bithionol is a new drug which has shown good effect in paragonimasis.
The authors treated 36 cases of pulmonary paragonimiasis from June 1962 to June
1963.
In all cases eggs of paragonimus westermani were found in sputum before treatment.
Bithionol was given according to the following schedules: 30㎎ per ㎏ of body weight
in 3 divided doses daily for 15 days in one course-23 cases. Same amount every other
day for 15 treatment day-4 cases. Same amount daily for 15 days and latter repeated a
2nd course beeause of persistent positive sputum after lst course of treatment-4 cases.
40㎎ per ㎏ of body weight every other day for 15 treatment days-5 cases.
Evaluation of the treatment was made right after treatment in 4 cases, 1-3 months
after treatment in 13 cases, 4-6 months after treatment in 6 cases and 7-12 months
after treatment in 13 cases, Improvement of chest X-Ray in 52%, no change in 48%. No
case of deterioration.
In 2 of 36 cases sputum tests were not performed after treatment, of the remaining 34
cases coversion of sputum to negative for paragonimus ovi was found in 97%,
remaining negative during observation.
Persistent positive sputum had 3% of cases. In commparison the result of treatment
with Emetine alone or in combination of sputum to negative in less than 20%.
The most characteristic symptoms; bloody sputum or frank hemoptysis, which was
seen in 33 of 36 cases, disappeared completely in 10 of 14 cases specially closely
checked to that effect.
Laboratory findings such as leukocyte total count, eosinophile count and hemoglobin
did not show significant change under Bithionol treatment, but sedimentation rate
improved in about 1/2 of the cases, liver function tests did not show any change under
Bithionol treatment.
Of side reaction under Bithionol treatment gastrointestinal symptoms such as diarrhea,
loose stools of frequent defecation was seen in 10 cases(27.7%), skin manifestations such
as urticaria and itching in 7(19.4%). All the side reactions subsided when medication
was continued every other day. In no case we were forced to stop medication.
|