Antihelminthics

Albendazole exerts its anthelmintic effect primarily by which mechanism?

Which anthelmintic drug is contraindicated in pregnancy due to teratogenicity and requires contraception during and after therapy?

A 38-year-old woman from rural Odisha presents with a 3-month history of progressive abdominal distension, intermittent colicky pain, and passage of worm segments in stool. On examination, she has mild malnutrition and a palpable abdominal mass in the right iliac fossa. Stool microscopy reveals eggs with a polar plug at both ends. She is otherwise systemically well. Which anthelmintic is the drug of choice for this infection?

A 6-year-old boy from West Bengal presents with severe itching around the anus, particularly at night, and his mother reports seeing white thread-like worms in his stool. Stool microscopy confirms the diagnosis of Enterobius vermicularis (pinworm). The child has no contraindications to anthelmintics. What is the recommended treatment regimen?