An attempt to control schistosomiasis mansoni in an endemic area by the use of Hycanthone as chemotherapeutic agent

Abstract

Hycanthone in a single dose of 3.3 mg/kg of body weight was used to treal mansoni schistosomiasis in 597 persons (83%) of the population of the endemic vilage of Canabrava. Ninety two patients received a 2nd course 14 months later. There was one death em the 2nd treatment. The cure rate after one stool examination was smaller after the 2ni treatment in comparison with the first one. Re-infections did not occur imediately after the treatment. Three years later the prevalence of persons passing eggs through one stool examination was 19% compared to the 46.3% before the treatment. Adults are more resistant to the re-infections than younger.