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Updated: Jul 3, 2026
05:30
Cercarial Transformation and in vitro Cultivation of Schistosoma mansoni Schistosomules
Published on: August 16, 2011
Drugs for treating urinary schistosomiasis.
Anthony Danso-Appiah1, Jürg Utzinger, Jianping Liu
1International Health Group, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Pembroke Place, Liverpool, UK, L3 5QA. tdappiah@yahoo.co.uk
The Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews
|July 23, 2008
Summary
Praziquantel and metrifonate effectively treat urinary schistosomiasis with minimal adverse events. Metrifonate is less convenient for mass treatment programs, while artemisinin derivatives require further study.
Area of Science:
- Tropical medicine
- Infectious diseases
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Urinary schistosomiasis is a significant cause of chronic ill-health.
- Effective treatment options are crucial for managing this parasitic infection.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the efficacy and safety of antischistosomal drugs for urinary schistosomiasis.
- To compare praziquantel, metrifonate, artemisinin derivatives, and albendazole, alone or in combination.
Main Methods:
- Systematic review of randomized and quasi-randomized controlled trials.
- Searched multiple databases including Cochrane, MEDLINE, and EMBASE up to August 2007.
- Extracted and analyzed data on parasitological failure and adverse events.
Main Results:
- Praziquantel and metrifonate demonstrated significant efficacy compared to placebo in reducing parasitological failure.
- Metrifonate showed over 90% egg reduction rate with no reported adverse events in one trial.
- Artesunate showed no clear benefit, and artemisinin-praziquantel combinations were similar to praziquantel alone.
Conclusions:
- Praziquantel and metrifonate are effective and safe treatments for urinary schistosomiasis.
- Metrifonate's multiple administration requirement impacts its convenience in public health programs.
- Further research on artemisinin derivatives and combination therapies is needed.
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