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Evidence summaries

Nitroimidazole Antibiotics for Amoebic Dysentery

Nitroimidazole antibiotics appear to be effective in clearing parasites in patients with amoebic dysentery. Level of evidence: "B"

A topic in Clinical Evidence 1 summarizes the results of trials on nitromidazole antibiotics for amoebic dysentery. One RCT (n=55) found that ornidazole reduced failure rate of parasitic clearance (AR 7/35 (20.0%) with ornidazole vs 20/20 (100%) with placebo. There were six RCTs comparing tinidazole and metronidazole. Four RCTs found improved parasite clearance at 30 days with tinidazole, two found no difference. Clinical Evidence category: Likely to be beneficial.

Comment: The quality of evidence is downgraded by imprecise results (limited study size for each comparison).

    References

    • Dans L, Martinez E. What are the effects of drug treatments for amoebic dysentery in endemic areas? Clinical Evidence 2004;12:1045-1049.

Primary/Secondary Keywords