Drugs for treating urinary schistosomiasis

Abstract

Analysis 2.4. Comparison 2 Praziquantel 40 mg/kg single dose versus lower doses, Outcome 4 Haematuria at three months...... Analysis 2.5. Comparison 2 Praziquantel 40 mg/kg single dose versus lower doses, Outcome 5 Proteinuria at three months....... Analysis 2.6. Comparison 2 Praziquantel 40 mg/kg single dose versus lower doses, Outcome 6 Haematuria at six weeks........... Analysis 2.7. Comparison 2 Praziquantel 40 mg/kg single dose versus lower doses, Outcome 7 Proteinuria at six weeks............ Analysis 2.8. Comparison 2 Praziquantel 40 mg/kg single dose versus lower doses, Outcome 8 Haematuria at nine months....... Analysis 2.9. Comparison 2 Praziquantel 40 mg/kg single dose versus lower doses, Outcome 9 Proteinuria at nine months........ Analysis 2.10. Comparison 2 Praziquantel 40 mg/kg single dose versus lower doses, Outcome 10

Treatment of urinary schistosomiasis: methodological issues and research needs identified through a Cochrane systematic review

“…An extensive, standard search was carried out, which included MEDLINE (1966( to August 2007, EMBASE (1974( to August 2007, LILACS (1982( to August 2007, conference proceedings and contacting specialists in the field (Danso-Appiah et al 2008).…”

“…During this process, we identified a number of methodological issues relevant to the interpretation of existing data that might help researchers to design more appropriate trials in the future. The full review is available on the Cochrane Library (Danso-Appiah et al 2008). In this paper we highlight key findings of the review, discuss implications of various methodological limitations and consider future research needs.…”

Control of Schistosomiasis

“…Metrifonate is administered as 7.5-10 mg/kg body weight, given in three divided doses in two weeks interval. Among the side effects reported following the administration of the drug include abdominal pains, diarrhoea, fatigue and muscular weakness which dissipates within 12 -24 hours (Danso-Appiah et al, 2008). The reasoning behind the widely spread dosage has to do with its inhibitory effects on red cells and plasma cholinesterase.…”

Schistosomiasis therapeutics: whats in the pipeline?

“…[7] Metrifonate is no longer commercially available as an anti-schistosome agent due to the need for multiple doses [8] and reduced efficacy compared to PZQ. [10] However, it is still used widely as an insecticide and as a veterinary anti-helminthic. [11] Due to its effect on the acetylcholine receptor, metrifonate is currently under investigation as a potential Alzheimer's therapeutic.…”

“…In the 1980s, this was shown to possess anti-schistosome properties. [1] Although the drug targets the post-infection larvae, schistosomula and liver stage parasites of all three human schistosome species, [10] artesunate is less efficacious than PZQ. [13] Artesunate derivatives act synergistically with blood hemin to produce free radicals toxic to schistosomes.…”