Evaluation of myrrh [Mirazid] therapy in fascioliasis and intestinal schistosomiasis in children: Immuno - logical and parasitological study

ABSTRACT

This study was done on 21 children with fascioliasis and 8 children with schistosomiasis mansoni treated with myrrh [mirazid], which is an oleo-gum resin from the stem of Commiphora molmol tree [family Burseraceae]. Also, ten healthy cross matched children were utilized as controls. The diagnosis was based on the detection of Fasciola hepatica or Schistosoma mansoni eggs in stool by Kato-Katz technique. Mirazid was given as 10 mg/kg/d an hour before breakfast for three consecutive days in schistosomiasis and for six days in fascioliasis. Clinical evaluation and stool analysis were done initially and at 2, 4 and 12 weeks post treatment to evaluate the cure rate. Rectal snip was done for responding schistosomiasis cases to confirm recovery. Automated complete blood count with manual assessment of eosinophils, serum total IgE [enzyme immunoassay] and in vitro cytokines assay [IL-1 beta, IL- 4 and IL-5] by ELISA were performed for all subjects before treatment and repeated at 12 weeks only for patients after therapy. It was concluded that mirazid is an effective fasciolicidal and schistosomicidal drug. IL-1 beta and IL-5 were high in fascioliasis and schistosomiasis, but decreased with therapy denoting immunopathogenesis. The depressed IL-4 production may be a parasite immune evasion or host regulatory mechanism and the cytokines levels may be the criteria of cure