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EFFICACY OF MIRAZID IN COMPARISON WITH PRAZIQUANTEL IN EGYPTIAN SCHISTOSOMA MANSONI–INFECTED SCHOOL CHILDREN AND HOUSEHOLDS

This trial investigated the anti-schistosomal activity of mirazid in comparison with that of praziquantel in Schistosoma mansoni-infected Egyptian patients. The sample population was composed of 1,131 individuals (459 school children and 672 household members). Screening for S. mansoni was conducted using the standard Kato Katz technique. Four slides from a single stool sample were examined before treatment, and four slides per sample from stool samples obtained on three consecutive days were examined post-treatment. All positive eligible subjects were randomly assigned into two groups, the first received mirazid at a dose of 300 mg/day for three consecutive days, and the second received praziquantel at a single dose of 40 mg/kg. All treated subjects were examined 4–6 weeks post-treatment. Mirazid showed low cure rates of 9.1% and 8.9% in S. mansoni-infected school children and household members, respectively, compared with cure rates of 62.5% and 79.7%, respectively, in those treated with praziquantel. Therefore, we do not recommend mirazid as an agent to control schistosomiasis.

Received December 27, 2003. Accepted for publication August 13, 2004.

Acknowledgments: We are grateful to the authorities of the Ministry of Health and Population who facilitated accomplishing this work. We thank the local health unit staff for their cooperation. We also thank the school children, teachers, and principals for their patience and commitment. Thanks are also given to Professor Gihan El-Fandy (president of Theodor Bilharz Research Institute) for her support, help, and encouragement.

Financial support: This investigation was supported by the Ministry of Health and Population, Egypt.

Authors’ addresses: Sanaa Botros, Hanan Sayed, Howaida El-Dusoki, Hoda Sabry, Ibrahim Rabie, Maged El-Ghannam, and Moataz Hassanein, Theodor Bilharz Research Institute, Warrak El-Hadar, Imbaba, PO Box 30, Giza 12411. Egypt. Yehia Abd El-Wahab, Ministry of Health and Population, 3 Magles EL Shaab Street, PO Box 1048689, Cairo, Egypt. Dirk Engels, World Health Organization, CH-1211Geneva 27, Switzerland.

Reprint requests: Sanaa Botros, Theodor Bilharz Research Institute, Warrak El-Hadar, Imbaba, PO Box 30, Giza 12411, Egypt, Fax: 20-2-540-8125, E-mail: sanaabotros{at}link.net.

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