Effect of specific chemotherapy on serum enzymes in patients with schistosomiasis

The morbidity of sehistosomia sis reflected on the electrophoretic and enzymatic liver functions was studied in patients with either S. mansoni or mixed infection. The reflection of specific chemotherapy [praziquantel] on the morbidity of the disease was studied 48 hours, one, two, and four weeks after treatment. S. mansoni infection produced a significant decrease in the albumin level with corresponding increase in the gamma-globulin fraction, alkaline phosphatase and transaminases. In mixed infection the pattern of changes was nearly that of single S. mansoni infection apart from a significant increase in the bilirubin level. Praziquantel normalized albumin globulin changes in patients with mixed infection, no statistically significant changes were recorded throughout the period of observation

Prophylactic activity of praziquantel in experimental schistosomiasis mansoni

Praziquantel was administered in a single oral dose of 1000 mg/kg B.W. at different time intervals before and after infection of mice with 80 cercariae of S. Mansoni. The drug was given 24 hours and 4 hours before infection, and 4 hours, 1 week, 2, 3, 4 and 5 weeks after infection. Experimental animals were sacrificed 8 weeks after infection. Prophylactic activity of the drug was evaluated using worm distribution, size of male and female worms, oogram changes and the number of ova per gm. Tissue. Prominent prophylactic effect of praziquantel was noticed when treatment was conducted 4 hours before and 4 hours after infection. At the same time complete interference of the egg laying capacity of the schistosomes was recorded when treatment was carried 5 weeks after exposure to cercariae