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Evidence summaries

Drugs for Treating Schistosoma Mansoni-Infection

Praziquantel and oxamniquine appear to be effective in the treatment of Schistosoma mansoni. Level of evidence: "B"

52 trials with 10,269 participants were included in a Cochrane review [Abstract] 1.

Praziquantel 40 mg/kg compared to placebo reduced parasitological treatment failure at one month post-treatment (RR 3.13, 95% CI 1.03 to 9.53, 2 trials, 414 participants). Oxamniquine 40 mg/kg compared to placebo reduced parasitological treatment failure at three months (RR 8.74, 95% CI 3.74 to 20.43, 2 trials, 82 participants). The optimal dosage of both drugs was 40 mg/kg, smaller doses being less effective and bigger doses offered no additional benefit.

Comment: The quality of evidence is downgraded by imprecise results (few patients).

    References

    • Danso-Appiah A, Olliaro PL, Donegan S et al. Drugs for treating Schistosoma mansoni infection. Cochrane Database Syst Rev 2013;2():CD000528. [PubMed]

Primary/Secondary Keywords