THERAPEUTIC EVALUATION OF 2 DIFFERENT DOSE REGIMENS OF PRAZIQUANTEL IN A RECENT SCHISTOSOMA-MANSONI FOCUS IN NORTHERN SENEGAL

A therapeutic trial, involving 130 Schistosoma mansoni-infected childr en, with no previous history of antischistosomal treatment, was carrie d out to evaluate the efficacy of two different dose regimens of prazi quantel. The study was carried out because low cure rates were describ ed in this recently established (1990) S. mansoni focus in northern Se negal, following treatment with a standard dosage of 40 mg/kg. The sub jects were randomly allocated into two groups: one group (1) received 40 mg/kg in one oral dose, the other group (2) was treated with two or al doses of 30 mg/kg at a 6-hr interval. Parasitologic examination and circulating anodic antigen (CAA) detection were performed before, 10 days, three, six, and 21 weeks after chemotherapy. No significant diff erences in cure rates were found between the two groups. Six weeks aft er treatment, 34% and 44% of the individuals were found to be stool ne gative in group 1 and group 2, respectively. However, only 10-15% beca me completely negative according to the serum CAA antigen assay. Mean egg counts were reduced by 99% in both groups. Antigen detection confi rmed the parasitologic results. Fewer side effects were observed in th e group treated with 2 x 30 mg/kg, which may be explained by split dos age administration, Our study shows that the low cure rates observed i n this area could not be improved by using a higher dosage of praziqua ntel.