Clinical trials on preventive effect of artesunate against reinfection of Schistosoma japonicum / 中国血吸虫病防治杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective To assess the preventive effect of artesunate against reinfection of Schistosoma japonicum.Methods Volunteers were divided into 3 groups,Medication Group Ⅰ took artesunate 6 mg/kg ,once a week for 4 weeks,Medication Group Ⅱ took artesunate 6 mg/kg in the 1st and 3rd week,twice a week,and a control group was given a placebo.The 3 teams took praziquantel 40 mg/kg on the 4th weekend.The effects of artesunate in early treatment were observed at the 8th weekend,and the preventive effects of artesunate against reinfection were assessed at the 12th weekend.The positive rate of fecal examination was used as the indicator.Results In the stage of early treatment,the positive rates of fecal examination in Medication Group Ⅰ ,Ⅱdecreased significantly compared with the data before the study with all P values less than 0.05 ;in the stage of preventing reinfection,compared with the data before the study,the positive rates of the fecal examination declined significantly in Medication Group Ⅰ,Ⅱ ,with all P values less than 0.05.While in the control group,the positive rates of the fecal examination had no significant changes in the two stages.Conclusions Artesunate has a valid effect against schistosome infections in the early treatment and can prevent residents from reinfection,and the suitable dosage is 6 mg/kg,once a week for 4 weeks.