Praziquantel in the treatment of hepatosplenic schistosomiasis: biochemical disease markers indicate deceleration of fibrogenesis and diminution of portal flow obstruction

Trans R Soc Trop Med Hyg. 1990 Mar-Apr;84(2):252-6. doi: 10.1016/0035-9203(90)90277-l.

Abstract

Serological indicators for disease activity and portal vein obstruction and/or deviation were assessed in 23 patients with hepatosplenic schistosomiasis before, and up to 18 months after, praziquantel treatment, as well as in 25 matched local controls. Cessation of egg-induced immunopathology was reflected by the return to normal of serum procollagen-III-propeptide and neopterin concentrations. Reversibility of portal vein pathology was indicated by normal clearance of cholylglycine in cases without signs of decompensating portal hypertension. In most patients with a history of ascites and/or haemorrhage, serum cholylglycine concentration remained pathological. The results provide evidence that the fibrogenic process ceases after specific chemotherapy, and that portal vein pathology regresses in a substantial proportion of hepatosplenic schistosomiasis cases.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Ascites
  • Biomarkers / blood
  • Biopterins / analogs & derivatives*
  • Biopterins / blood
  • Child
  • Female
  • Glycocholic Acid / blood*
  • Humans
  • Liver Diseases, Parasitic / blood*
  • Liver Diseases, Parasitic / drug therapy
  • Liver Diseases, Parasitic / physiopathology
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Neopterin
  • Peptide Fragments / blood*
  • Praziquantel / therapeutic use*
  • Procollagen / blood*
  • Regional Blood Flow
  • Schistosomiasis mansoni / blood*
  • Schistosomiasis mansoni / drug therapy
  • Schistosomiasis mansoni / physiopathology
  • Splenic Diseases / blood*
  • Splenic Diseases / drug therapy
  • Splenic Diseases / physiopathology
  • Time Factors

Substances

  • Biomarkers
  • Peptide Fragments
  • Procollagen
  • procollagen Type III-N-terminal peptide
  • Biopterins
  • Praziquantel
  • Neopterin
  • Glycocholic Acid