Studies on schistosomiasis: Further surveys in Mindanao

We have presented in this report the results of another schistosomiasis survey undertaken from October 19 to December 17, 1948 covering an extensive area of almost the whole island of Mindanao, during which we succeeded to establish definitely new endemic foci in the following localities: - Sitio Simaya, jurisdiction of Malaybalay, province of Bukidnon; Mactan, the rice-growing sector in the Davao Penal Colony; Calinan, district in the outskirts of Davao City; Tamparan in the eastern side of Lake Lanao; Barrio Salug, Aurora and Barrio Nipaan, Dipolog, southeastern and northern Zamboanga, respectively. In all these places, 1932 stool specimens were examined and 131 were found positive for Schistosoma japonicum eggs. Oncomelania quadrasi snails were also foundIn addition, 14 cases were also encountered in Barrio Panikepan, municipality of Pikit-Pagalungan, province of Cotabato, ten of whom never left the province. Despite an intensive but fruitless search for snails in and around that vicinity, the history of each of those ten cases who never left the province, strongly indicates that they could not have been infected elsewhere. Further search for snails in the future in these places may finally confirm this assumptionIn the light of the findings of this and of previous other surveys, it is very evident that the geographical distribution of schistosomiasis in the Philippines is much wider now than it was thought before. This should excite more and more the interest of all physicians throughout the country so that they will always be on the lookout for the first cases in their respective localities. Once, definite clues are found, we shall always be ready to assist in making a more thorough investigation, if called upon to do so. (Summary)

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)

Field studies on the treatment of schistosomiasis japonica with nilodin

Nilodin was tried in 238 cases of Schistosomiasis japonica, most of whom were early cases; but only in 233 was the treatment completedThe total dosage given per treatment was 60 mgm. per kilo body weight, administered by mouth in divided doses for a period of three to six days, proportionately reduced in children according to weight. That an adult of 50 kg. received a total of three Gm. or one Gm. a day for period of three days or 0.5 Gm. a day to six daysThe results showed that, of the 233 who completed the treatment 218 or 93.24% were still positive for viable eggs from one to four weeks after the treatment; only 13 or 5.40% became negativeToxic reactions, which were usually too mild and insufficient stop treatment, occurred in 229, or 96.6%, of the casesJudging from the results of this study, it would seem that Nilodin is not effective in the treatment of Schistosoma japonicum, with the same dosage used against S. mansoni and S. baematobium infections. It is hoped, however, that further studies on this treatment, with increased dosage, will be made. (Summary)