Effects of drug treatments on Worm burden and enzyme levels in <i>Schistosoma haematobium</i> infected laboratory Animals

Abstract

This study was carried out to evaluate the effect of drug treatments and enzymes level on the worm burden in an experimental Schistosoma haematobium infected guinea pig. Eggs of S. haematobium were collected from the urine of infected persons and hatched into miracidia. Fresh water Snail species Bulinus truncatus were exposed to miracidia and allowed for five weeks to establish infection and develop to cercaria. Guinea pigs were exposed to S. haematobium cercaraie by subcutaneous injection. The infected guinea pigs were divided into four groups, designated as 7, 28, 90 days post infection and controls. The guinea pigs were treated singly and in combination with different doses of Praziquantel (PZQ), Artemether (ART) and Artequine (ARQ). The efficacy of the different drugs on worm burden were assessed. Blood samples were collected from the guinea pigs before and after treatment for determination of Alkaline Phosphatase (ALP), Alanine Aminotransferase (ALT) and Aspartate Aminotransferase (AST). Result showed that treatment with higher doses of PZQ/ART (100/200mg/kg) and PZQ/ARQ (100/200mg/kg) resulted in total worm reduction rate of 58 and a percentage efficacy of 98.3%. ARQ (300 mg/kg) had the highest percentage efficacy of 89.8% amongst the single drugs used with respect to higher doses. There were observed alteration in the levels of the enzymes after S. haematobium infection. The serum level of ALP, AST and ALT after infection generally decreased. There were various activities in the level of ALPAST and ALT after treatment with different drug regimen at different stages of S. haematobium infection. ARQ alone and in combination with PZQ had anti schistosomal effect and could be promising in controlling schistosomiasis.

Keywords:  S. haematobium, Guinea Pigs, Liver functioning enzymes, Worm burden