Ambilhar in the treatment of Schistosoma japonicum infection and as an egg suppressant for mass treatment.

ABSTRACT

Ambilhar or niridazole at a dose of 25 mg per kg body weight for 7 days was found ineffective against Sl japonicum infection. Longer period of treatment for 10 to 14 days gave impressive stool negative conversion and egg reduction rates but with moderately severe reactions, the most alarming of which was hallucination. To minimize toxicity, the daily dose was reduced but given for a longer duration so that the total amount of the drug given per kilogram body weight was approximately the same as the 25 mg pre kg per day for 10 to 14 days. Of the two treatment schedules tried, the 15 mg per kg per day for 24 days was found relatively effective. Although the drug with this treatment regimen was well tolerated, a drop-out of 50.8% was observed. Ambilhar was therefore tried as an egg suppressant. With a 10-day treatment, all patients were again positive after 6 months. Egg reduction rates during the 6 months stool follow-up ranged from 69.8 to 93.5%. Further trials using this dose to be repeated every 3 to 6 months is contemplated.