Parasitological imprint of a muramyl dipeptide derivative together with praziquantel in experimental schistosoma mansoni infection

ABSTRACT

The goal of this study, is to evaluate the effect of a combination between an anthelmintic drug praziquantel [CAS 55268-74-1 EMBAY 8440, Biltricide] , and a muramyl dipeptide derivative Adamantylamide Dipeptide [AdDP] [CAS 768-94-5 [Amantadine]] in potentially tolerized Schistosoma mansoni infected, egg-injected C57BU6 mice . It is also a trial to elucidate the repercussions of this drug combination upon worm and tissue egg loads and oogram pattern.. A group of 120 C57BU6 mice was used in the experiment. This group was further subdivided into five small subgroups. Subgroup I constituted infected control mice. Subgroup II received four intravenous doses [10ug each via the tail vein] of soluble egg antigen [SEA] on days -7, -5, -3 and -2 before infection. Subgroup III included infected mice given AdDP 12 mg subcutaneously in 0.2 ml saline. Subgroup IV infected mice given Antigen [SEA] + AdDP. Subgroup V included mice given Antigen [SEA] + AdDP + PZQ [500 mg/Kg for two successive days]. Sacrifice was done 10 weeks post infection. Egg-injected mice given the combination regimen Praziquantel + Adamantylamide Dipeptide [PZQ + AdDP], compared to infected untreated control, revealed absence of worm recovery at perfusion and 100% dead ova in the oogram. Again an evident reduction in the hepatic and intestinal tissue egg loads was recorded in this group compared to infected untreated [wether egg injected or not] control mice