Abstract
Effects of single oral dose of artemether on early juveniles of Schistosoma mansoni Egyptian strain, when given to mice 7days pi (gp IIa), 21days pi (gp IIb) in comparison to its administration 49days pi (gp IIc) and to the corresponding infected controls (I-a, -b, and –c), sacrificed 3, 6 and 10weeks pi, respectively.
•Artemether (ART) was assessed against the early juvenile stages of Schistosoma mansoni Egyptian strain.•ART dose of 400mg/kg in mice harboring 1week-old S. mansoni reduced the total worm burden by 85.94%.•ART at 400mg/kg in mice harboring 3week-old S. mansoni reduced total and female worm burden by 91.52% and 90.57%.•Single dose of ART given during prepatent S. mansoni infection caused complete absence of eggs and granulomata.
The current treatment and control of schistosomiasis, rely on a single drug, praziquantel, although, it has minor activity against juvenile stages of the parasite. Studies have shown that artemether (ART) exhibits effects against juveniles of Schistosoma mansoni Liberian and Puerto Rican strains, Schistosoma japonicum and Schistosoma haematobium. Aiming to assess the in vivo activity of single oral dose of ART against early juvenile stages of S. mansoni Egyptian strain, this study was established. Mice were treated with ART (400mg/kg) at two time points evenly spaced over the period of larval development (7 and 21days post-infection; pi), and a third treatment point (day 49 pi) was included to elucidate when susceptibility decreases. Administration of ART on day 7 pi reduced the total worm burden by 85.94%. The greatest reductions were seen when treatment was given on day 21 pi, with total and female worm burden reductions of 91.52% and 90.57%, respectively, and cessation of oviposition. Similar dose given on day 49 pi reduced total worm burden by 55.17% and female worm burden by 66.51%. Moreover, it induced significant reduction in the tissue egg load and significant alterations in the oogram pattern with decreased immature eggs and increased dead eggs. Antipathological activities were evident in significant reductions in granulomata count and diameter. In conclusion, ART exhibits major in vivo schistosomicidal effects against the early larval migratory stages of S. mansoni Egyptian strain, mainly the 21-day old schistosomula, hence preventing disease progression and morbidity.