Comparison of Kato-Katz thick-smear and McMaster egg counting method for the assessment of drug efficacy against soil-transmitted helminthiasis in school children in Jimma Town, Ethiopia

Background: There is a paucity of studies that compare efficacy of drugs obtained by different diagnostic methods. Methods: We compared the efficacy of a single oral dose albendazole (400 mg), measured as egg reduction rate, against soil-transmitted helminth infections in 210 school children (Jimma Town, Ethiopia) using both Kato-Katz thick smear and McMaster egg counting method. Results: Our results indicate that differences in sensitivity and faecal egg counts did not imply a significant difference in egg reduction rate estimates. Conclusion: The choice of a diagnostic method to assess drug efficacy should not be based on sensitivity and faecal egg counts only.