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Comparison of praziquantel efficacy at 40 mg/kg and 60 mg/kg in treating Schistosoma haematobium infection among schoolchildren in the Ingwavuma area, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa

M Kabuyaya, M J Chimbari, S Mukaratirwa

Abstract


Background. The World Health Organization recommends praziquantel (PZQ) (40 mg/kg body weight) for treating schistosomiasis. However, drug failure has been reported, prompting use of 60 mg/kg, for which results have been inconsistent.

Objectives. To compare the efficacy of PZQ 40 mg/kg and 60 mg/kg in treating schoolchildren infected with Schistosoma haematobium.

Methods. The study was conducted during November 2017 - August 2018 in the Ingwavuma area, uMkhanyakude District, KwaZulu-Natal Province, South Africa. Children aged 10 - 15 years were screened for S. haematobium using a filtration technique. Infected children were randomly assigned to a dose of PZQ of 40 mg/kg or 60 mg/kg. Side-effects were recorded within 24 hours after treatment using questionnaires and direct observation. Four weeks after treatment, participants were retested for S. haematobium infection. Baseline and post-treatment mean egg counts were calculated. Cure rate (CR) and egg reduction rate (ERR) were used to determine PZQ efficacy, while repeated-measures analysis of variance determined the effect of both doses on infection intensity. A χ2 test was used to determine the association of side-effects with treatment, with a p-value ≤0.05.

Results. Forty-three and 36 children were treated with PZQ 40 mg/kg and 60 mg/kg, respectively. The 40 mg/kg group had a CR of 79.0% and an ERR of 97.2%, and the 60 mg/kg group a CR of 83.0% and an ERR of 98.3%. The effect of dose on infection intensity was not significantly different between the two groups (p>0.05). Abdominal pains, dizziness and fatigue were common among children who received PZQ 40 mg/kg, while headache, dizziness and nausea were common in the 60 mg/kg group.

Conclusions. The efficacy of PZQ at 60 mg/kg was similar to that at 40 mg/kg. A dose >40 mg/kg therefore does not add value in treating S. haematobium infection. Transient side-effects (mostly dizziness) were observed more in the 60 mg/kg group than in the 40 mg/kg group. We recommend continued use of 40 mg/kg body weight for treating schistosomiasis.

 


Authors' affiliations

M Kabuyaya, Discipline of Public Health Medicine, School of Nursing and Public Health, College of Health Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa

M J Chimbari, College of Health Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa

S Mukaratirwa, School of Life Sciences, College of Agriculture, Engineering and Science, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa; One Health Center for Zoonoses and Tropical Veterinary Medicine, Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine, St Kitts, Basseterre, West Indies

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Keywords

Schistosoma haematobium; Efficacy; Praziquantel, Schoolchildren; Dose; KwaZulu-Natal; South Africa

Cite this article

South African Medical Journal 2020;110(7):657-660. DOI:10.7196/SAMJ.2020.v110i7.13926

Article History

Date submitted: 2020-07-07
Date published: 2020-07-07

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