Stool examination of a child from rural Assam shows oval eggs measuring 85 × 60 µm with a thick outer layer of mammillated albuminous coat that is bile-stained, containing a segmented embryo. What is the recommended first-line pharmacological treatment?
- A Mebendazole 100 mg twice daily for 3 days
- B Pyrantel pamoate 11 mg/kg single dose
- C Albendazole 400 mg single dose ✓
- D Piperazine citrate 75 mg/kg for 2 days
Correct answer: C. Albendazole 400 mg single dose
Explanation
The described egg morphology—thick bile-stained mammillated coat with unsegmented or early cleavage embryo—is characteristic of Ascaris lumbricoides. WHO recommends albendazole 400 mg as a single oral dose (or mebendazole 500 mg single dose) for ascariasis in all age groups, achieving >95% egg reduction rate. Mebendazole 100 mg twice daily for 3 days is an alternative regimen with similar efficacy but lower compliance. Pyrantel pamoate is effective but less preferred by current NTEP/WHO guidelines for mass drug administration.
Reference: Ananthanarayan & Paniker's Textbook of Microbiology, 11th ed.
High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP
Written and medically reviewed by the StethoPrep medical team.