RESUMO
Thirty male patients with active schistosomal hepatic fibrosis and splenomegaly without ascites were included in this study. They were divided into two groups: group I was treated with praziquantel [PZQ] in a single oral dose of 40 mg/kg body weight. Group II received PZQ in a total dose of 180 mg/kg body weight divided into 20 mg/kg body weight, three times daily for three consecutive days. Levels of circulating immune complexes [CIC's] as well as IgG and IgM were studied before treatment and 4 weeks after treatment. Although gamma-globulins, CIC's, IgG and IgM levels before treatment were all above the normal values, only IgM showed a significant decrease after treatment with the high dose of PZQ. PZQ in high split dose was more effective than in low single dose