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

A group of 52 villagers was followed-up,for three years regarding Schistoso ma mansoni infection. All villagers were periodically surveyed by the Kato- Katz method. In March 1997 and March 1998 the positives were treated with o xamniquine (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 moderat e/heavy infection (from 7.7% to 1.9%), intensity of infection (from 23.1 ep g to 7.4 epg) and reinfection (from 35.7% to 14.3%). Negativation increased fi-om 53.8 to 82.4. An optimistic prognostic is assumed in the short term for the introduction of praziquantel in the study area.