Praziquantel in treatment of cerebral schistosomiasis

The effectiveness of standard single-day praziquantel treatment (60 mg/kg) was prospectively evaluated in nine patients with seizures caused by cerebral Schistosoma japonicum infection. Eight patients were cured when discharged from the study, an average of 6 months after receiving praziquantel. They were seizure-free in the absence of anticonvulsants, their electroencephalograms were normal, and no major abnormalities could be detected on neurological examination. Serial computed tomography scanning revealed rapid dissipation of cerebral oedema and complete or near-complete resolution of mass lesions. No serious adverse effects of praziquantel were encountered. The ninth patient was not cured but improved greatly in the months after treatment. Thus, single-day treatment with praziquantel is safe and effective in cerebral schistosomiasis.