Efficacy of praziquantel in treating natural schistosome infections in common mergansers

Fifty-one common mergansers were captured on Douglas Lake (Cheboygan County . Michigan) and their avian schistosome loads were determined by fecal exam ination. Each bird was given a single dose of 0, 40. or 200 mg/kg of body w eight of praziquantel and released. All birds were recaptured within 10 day s of drug administration to determine posttreatment schistosome loads. Only the highest dose of was found to significantly reduce avian schistosome lo ads. The potential use of praziquantel in swimmer's itch control programs i s discussed.