ABSTRACT
Helminthiasis, also known as worm infection, is a systemic or intestinal parasitic disease that is common in tropical and subtropical regions and is a major health problem especially in third world countries. Helminth parasites are complex multicellular organisms which and can be divided into the subgroups of nematodes, cestodes, trematodes and filarians according to the zoological classification. Trichinellosis is a parasitic disease caused by Trichinella spiralis, a nematode typically recognized as the “pork worm”. A few chemotherapeutic drugs are currently used in the treatment of helminthiasis. Most of the antihelminthtic drugs were developed for veterinary use, and later have been used by physicians as effective and broad-spectrum medications for the treatment of worm infections in humans. Mebendazole, a synthetic benzimidazole, is the agent most widely used against enterobiasis, ascariasis, ankylostomiasis, strongyloidiasis, trichocephaliasis, trichostrongyliasis and mixed helminthosis. Oxamniquine is a tetrahydroquinoline derivative used in the treatment of worm infections.
