Treatment of intestinal parasitic infections: a review of nitazoxanide

Intestinal parasitic infections rank among the most significant causes of morbidity and mortality in the world, yet economic and other factors have contributed to a lack of innovation in treating these diseases. Nitazoxanide, a pyruvate ferredoxin oxidoreductase inhibitor, is a new antiparasitic drug notable for its activity in treating protozoan infections, including Cryptosporidium, which cause persistent diarrhoea and malnutrition in children throughout the developing world. Importantly, studies have shown that nitazoxanide is also effective in treating common intestinal helminths. The availability of a product with this spectrum of activity raises interesting new possibilities for treating intestinal parasitic infections.