Effect of combined low dose praziquantel and oxamniquine on different stages of schistosome maturity

ABSTRACT

The effect of combined low dose praziquantel and oxamniquine on different stages of schistosome maturity was studied in Schistosoma mansoni infected Swiss albino mice. The effect of combination therapy [1/3 the curative dose of praziquantel + 1/3 the curative dose of oxamniquine] was compared with the effect of each drug solely whether in reduced dose or in full dose. Comparison with infected untreated controls was also done. Test drug effects were evaluated on different stages of schistosome maturity by administering these drugs 24 hours before infection, four hours one, two, three, four and five weeks after infection. Animals were sacrificed eight weeks post-infection. Worm burden, distribution,tissueeggloadand oogram pattern were the parasitological criteria used in assessing drugefficacy. A synergistic activity was recorded on different stages of schistosome maturity in animals receiving combination therapy. Combination regimen was maximally effective four hours after infection [95.89% parasite reduction]. In addition, tissue egg load was very low in animals treated five weeks after infection and eggs were not detected in the tissues of infected mice treated four hours post-infection