Tegumental alterations in Schistosoma mansoni worms induced by treatment of infected mice with naproxen pre- and/or post-infection

Schistosoma mansoni infected mice were treated with naproxen (CAS 22204-53- 1) in a dose of 3-4 mg/kg body weight. Treatment was conducted for 7 days b efore and/or 28 days post infection. Adult worms, developed 7 weeks post in fection, were studied by electron microscopy. in both groups, the dorsal su rface of the male worms was much more affected by the drug than that of fem ale ones. The most significant morphological degeneration was the change in the aspect and the form of tubercles. Moreover, shrinkage and loss of spin es from the ventral surface were also observed. A small portion of the post erior end of female worms showed loss of spines. However, in the first grou p given naproxen 7 days before infection, the level and extent of changes i ncreased particularly in male worms. There was pronounced oedema, swelling, wrinkling with constriction and collapse of sensory bulbs.