Study of some aspects of cell mediated immune response in bilharzial children on a field level.

S. mansoni patients with active intestinal mansoniasis with or without hepatosplenomegaly were divided into 3 groups. The first was treated by praziquantel therapeutic course, second by an initial full dose of praziquantel to be followed by suppressive doses, and third received initial loading praziquantel dose and followed by the suppressive dose at monthly intervals. School children infected with S. haematobium were divided into 5 groups: The first received oral metrifonate therapeutic course followed by its prophylactic course monthly, second with full dose of oral praziquantel, third with metrifonate orally every month, fourth half dose of praziquantel orally every month, fifth received oral metrifonate curative course every 2 weeks for 3 doses every 6 months, repetition of such therapy was carried out 6 monthly for non-cured cases. Non-bilharzial children were studied and divided into six groups. The first was given an oral monthly praziquantel prophylactic dose. The second received the same prophylactic praziquantel doses given at 3-monthly intervals. The third was given an oral placebo in the form of vitamin B complex tablets at 3-monthly intervals. The fourth received oral monthly therapeutic dose of metrifonate. The fifth was given oral monthly prophylactic doses of praziquantel. The sixth was given oral placebo in the form of 2 vitamin B-complex tablets monthly. For every individual whole blood leucocyte % phagocytosis and tuberculin test were performed. In cases infected with S. mansoni the mean percent phagocytosis was only markedly reduced in hepatosplenic cases of groups P-1, P-2 and P-3 during praziquantel treatment. Tuberculin reactivity was not changed following such therapy.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)