Comparative studies for the efficacy of praziquantel on the Egyptian strain of S mansoni in golden hamsters and albino mice

ABSTRACT

Praziquantel was given orally to S. Mansoni infected mice and hamsters 7 weeks after infection. Two dose regimens were used for both animals. For the mice, the first regimen was 3 x 250 mg/kg given on consecutive days, while the second regimen was 3 x 83 mg/kg administered in one day at four hourly interval. In hamsters, the first regimen was 3 x 100 mg/kg on consecutive days and the second was 3 x 50 mg/kg in one day. The efficacy of the drug was tested one week, two weeks and one month after treatment. Worm burden, oogram studies, and number of ova/gm liver and intestine were our parameters of assessment. It was found that praziquantel was as effective on the Egyptian strain of S. Mansoni as on other different strains. In addition multiple oral treatment for three days was more effective than treatment for one day. Praziquantel was more effective in hamsters than in mice. More study for the efficacy of praziquantel in older infections would be recommended as there was a relapse one month after treatment