The Role of Praziquantel in the Prevention and Treatment of Fibrosis Associated with Schistosomiasis: A Review
Table 4
Clinical efficacy of praziquantel in treatment of patients with schistosomiasis japonica-induced fibrosis.
Pattern of fibrosis
Treatment regimen
Clinical outcomes of fibrosis
Reference
Hepatic fibrosis
Praziquantel at a total dose of 60 mg/kg
Decreased length of the left liver lobe, the spleen, the ratio of the exterior diameter to the interior diameter of the second branch of the portal vein; significantly reduced abnormal rates of serum hyaluronic acid, and type III procollagen levels one-year post-treatment
30
Hepatic fibrosis
Praziquantel at a single dose of 40 mg/kg
Significant improvement of ultrasound parenchyma images and periportal fibrosis in 37% and 54% of the cohort, and reversal of left-lobe liver enlargement two-year post-treatment
65
Hepatic fibrosis
Praziquantel given at 3 doses of 20 mg/kg
Improvement in the thickening of the portal vein wall and the intensity of echogenic bands; significant decrease in serum total bile acid level; but no significant ultrasonographic changes seen in patients with severe hepatic fibrosis 6 months post-treatment
66
Hepatic fibrosis
Praziquantel given at 3 doses of 20 mg/kg
Significant improvement in mild hepatic fibrosis, which was not seen in patients with severe fibrosis; no changes of the network pattern of the echogenic bands; no change of serum total bile acid level one-year post-treatment
67
Hepatic fibrosis
Praziquantel given at a dose of 60 mg/kg divided in two days
Significant improvements of clinical symptoms (abdominal distension, rib pain, diarrhea, and weakness) in 90% participants, shrinkage of liver and spleen size in 80% participants, complete recovery of serum hyaluronic acid, laminin, type IV collagen, and type III procollagen levels to normal in 64 participants three years post-treatment
