Trichuris trichiura infestations in the United Kingdom and treatment with difetarsone

Abstract

Stool specimens were examined for the parasite Trichuris trichiura from 1,860 patients in 17 hospitals for the mentally subnormal in the U.K. It was found in 10 of these hospitals, and an overall incidence of 13.2% was recorded. Most cases occurred in the South, where the overall incidence was 36.3%. Difetarsone was used in the treatment of infestations in two hospitals, and proved to be very well tolerated, cure rates of 81 to 88% being obtained. © 1972, British Medical Journal Publishing Group. All rights reserved.