Replacing oxamniquine by praziquantel against Schistosoma mansoni infection in a rural community from the sugar-cane zone of Northeast Brazil: an epidemiological follow-up

Abstract

A group of 52 villagers was followed-up for three years regarding Schistosoma mansoni infection. All villagers were periodically surveyed by the Kato-Katz method. In March 1997 and March 1998 the positives were treated with oxamniquine (15-20 mg/kg), and in March 1999, with praziquantel (60 mg/kg). All infection indices decreased substantially between March 1999 and March 2000: prevalence of infection (from 32.7% to 21.2%), prevalence of moderate/heavy infection (from 7.7% to 1.9%), intensity of infection (from 23.1 epg to 7.4 epg) and reinfection (from 35.7% to 14.3%). Negativation increased from 53.8 to 82.4. An optimistic prognostic is assumed in the short term for the introduction of praziquantel in the study area

The prevalence of schistosomiasis in school-aged children as an appropriate indicator of its prevalence in the community

“…The parasitological data were taken from previous studies involving population surveys that took place in various localities in the municipalities of São Lourenço da Mata (Favre 1999, Beck et al 2001, Zani et al 2004, Ipojuca and Itamaracá (Favre 1999). Parasitological data for the municipalities of Jaboatão dos Guararapes, Itambé and Chã de Alegria had not been previously published.…”

Combination Chemotherapy of Schistosomiasis in Laboratory Studies and Clinical Trials

“…Although S. mansoni-infected patients resistant to oxamniquine have been described repeatedly, these findings are of no public health significance thus far. Despite the success of oxamniquine for schistosomiasis control in Brazil, efforts are under way to replace it with praziquantel, primarily because of the lower price of praziquantel (4,55).…”

Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trial of Oral Artemether for the Prevention of Patent Schistosoma Haematobium Infections

“…Metrifonate (which is active against S. haematobium) has recently been withdrawn from the market, 9 and oxamniquine (widely and effectively used against S. mansoni in Brazil) is being replaced by praziquantel. 10,11 Therefore, research and development of novel antischistosomal drugs is a pressing need, 6,12 which has recently been acknowledged by WHO/TDR.…”