effect of some immunosuppressive drugs on schistosomal granuloma formation in the liver of mice

The effect of immunosuppressive drugs on schistosomal granuloma formation in the liver of mice infected with Schistosoma mansoni has been studied. Forty-five male albino mice were chosen. Five animals were used as control and the remaining mice were infected with Schistosoma mansoni. Ten infected animals were given daily subcutaneous injections of saline [placebo]. Ten animals were given daily subcutaneous injections of fluocinolone acetonide. Ten were given azathioprine intraperitoneal and the remaining ten animals were given daily intraperitoneal methotrexate. The injections were repeated for ten days in all the groups. The results showed that animals given fluocinolone acetonide had more or less the same number and size of schistosomal granuloma as those given placebo, but there were scattered necrotic parenchymal cells. Moreover, 40% of animals given methotrexate showed areas of cellular vacuolation and necrosis of liver cells

Plasma and ascitic fluid osmotic pressure in relation to ascites formation

Twenty five schistosomal patients including twenty ascitic and five non ascitic patients have been studied for plasma and ascitic fluid osmotic pressure using the advanced osmometer model 3 L and total proteins were estimated. Ten healthy persons of matched age served as control. We found lower osmotic pressure of plasma in ascitic cases compared to the non ascitic and control group, but we could not find a critical level of osmotic pressure below which ascites occurs