Studies on liver function tests in schistosomiasis japonica

From the foregoing liver function tests made on 96 schistosomiasis patients before, during, and after one series of Fuadin treatment, we feel justified to make the following statements: 1. There was no interference in the bile flow in almost all of them, except in three who were in the late stage of the disease2. Appreciable liver cell damage was hardly noted in patients in the early stage of the disease, but were more apparent towards the late stage, depending on the condition and the degree of cirrhosis present3. Treatment with Fuadin seems to have improved the state of the liver, particularly in those patients treated in the early stage; but only slightly in those treated in the late stage. It may be added that Fuadin therapy did not seem to aggravate the existing condition in the liver in those cases, in spite of the appearance of certain toxic reactions in a number of them. It would seem unjustified, however, to push Fuadin further in those that showed toxic reactions. (Summary)

Hematological studies in schistosomiasis japonica

In 95 schistosomiasis patients, who were all positive for Schistosoma japonicum ova in the stools, our hematological studies revealed the following picture: A. Before Fuadin Treatment: 1. Strong tendency for the production of macrocytic hypochromic type of anemia with an erythrocyte count ranging from 4.033+-0.083 millions to 3.722+-0.85 millions in the early stage; and a marked decrease towards the late stages, with counts ranging from 2.656+-0.465 to 3.404+-0.1652. A leucocyte count from 11,038+-1,995 to 15,376+-891 in the early stages, with an eosinophilia ranging from 25.13 to 28.26%; and normal lymphocyte percentage and a tendency to lencepenia towards the late stage3. There was an increase sedeimentation rate, ranging from 23.66 to 47.83 mm. per hour4. Target cells were present in 68% of the casesB. During Fuadin Therapy: 1. A tendency for the anemia in the early stages to become normocytic hypochromic in type, and the late stages to remain macrocytic. Fuadin did not cause a further decrease of the Rbc count2. A slight decrease of the leucocyte counts in the early stages, ranging from 8,738+-583 to 12,018+-1,408, with a further increase of eosinophilia, the values ranging from 34.24 toi 35.63% in the early stages and from 25.99 to 43.2% in the later stages3. The sedimentation rate remained apparently the same as before treatment4. Target cells were present in 80% of casesC. After Fuadin Treatment: 1. Production of normocytic hypochromic anemia in almost all stages, with an almost stationary erythrocyte count in the early stage and a relative increase in the later stage2. Leucocytosis was still seen in the early stages, and even in the later stage, with eosinophilia still present, ranging from 28.14 to 35.44%3. There was a noticeable drop in sedimentation rate as compared with values before treatment4. Lymphocytosis was seen in all cases, with 30.66 to 38.14%5. Target cells were seen in 77% of casesThe concomitant presence of hookworm ova did not alter the macrocytic type of anemia found in schistosomiasis patientsFuadin, in its therapeutic dose, did not aggravate the blood picture. On the contrary, it could be the one that might have produced improvement. (Summary and conclusion)

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)