by Torrico F, Gascón J, Barreira F, Blum B, Almeida IC, Alonso-Vega C, Barboza T, Bilbe G, Correia E, Garcia w, Ortiz L, Parrado R, Ramirez JC, Ribeiro I, Strub-Wourgaft N, Vaillant M, Sosa-Estani S, on behalf of the BENDITA study group. The Lancet Infectious Diseases 2021, 21(8): 1129-40. doi: 10.1016/S1473-3099(20)30844-6
Summary: Current treatments for Chagas disease have substantial limitations, including long treatment duration and safety and tolerability concerns. This study evaluated the efficacy and safety of new benznidazole monotherapy regimens and combinations with fosravuconazole. Adult patients in Bolivia with chronic indeterminate Chagas disease were randomly assigned to one of seven treatment groups: benznidazole 300 mg daily for 8 weeks, 4 weeks, or 2 weeks; benznidazole 150 mg daily for 4 weeks, or 4 weeks plus fosravuconazole; benznidazole 300 mg once per week for 8 weeks plus fosravuconazole; or placebo. Benznidazole induced effective antiparasitic response, regardless of treatment duration, dose, or combination with fosravuconazole, and was well tolerated in adult patients with chronic Chagas disease. Shorter or reduced regimens of benznidazole could substantially improve treatment tolerability and accessibility.
