Intradermal test for schistosomiasis japonica (preliminary report)

The results of our preliminary study on intradermal test on 532 subjects, using antigens prepared by us, are here presented and discussed. Thre principle of the test, preparation of the antigens (adult and cercaria), and technique of testing are explainedThis study seems to indicate that intradermal test may augment our methods of diagnosis of schistosomiasis, especially in mass-screening campaigns or mass stool surveys. To be of real significance, however, a potent antigen, freshly prepared, and whose dosage has been standardized with known positive and known negative controls should be used. For routine purposes, a dose of 0.01 to 0.02 of the 1:1000 or 1:2000 dilution of the adult antigen solution may be recommended. In the case of the cercarial antigen, we obtained a fairly good result, with 0.1 cc of the 1:600 dilutionAmong our negative controls, the presence of other parasites, such as ascaris, trichuris, and hookworm, filaria, and paragonimiasis, did not provoke false positive reactions. No false positive reaction was observed in one case of malaria and in one case of infectious hepatitis. (Conclusions)

Evaluation of fuadin therapy in schistosomiasis japonica

Treatment with Fuadin was tried in 2,407 patients who were found positive for Schistosoma japonicum ova on stool examination. These patients represented both sexes of all ages ranging from 5 to 50 years. Only 1,135 were able to complete one course of 40 cc. given intramuscularly in nine injections. Of this number, 1,083 were followed-up during and after treatmentAt the end of one course, 847 or 78.21% ceased to pass viable ova; 236 or 21.79% were still positive on stool examination . Of these 236 patients, 62 continued to receive additional injections until all became negative. Taken together, 909 or 83.91% no longer passed ova in the stool at the end of treatmentOnly 334 out of 909 were followed-up one month after completing treatment, and 34 or 9.28% were again positive for eggs. These cases were considered relapses or treatment failures rather than re-infectionsToxic reactions appeared in 63.3% (718) of the 1,135 patients, the most common of which were nausea, vomiting, and anorexia, general body weakness, headache, joint pains, and fever. Despite these reactions, the whole course of nine injections was continued in the 1,135 patients by simply prolonging the interval of injection as long as the toxic reactions were still present. (Summary)