[Comparative efficacy of oltipraz (1 dose, 30 mg/kg) and the combination of niridazole (25 mg/kg) and metrifonate (10 mg/kg) against S. haematobium].

PUGH (1978) and TEEDSALE et al. (1980) showed that an associated single dose of metrifonate (12.5 mg/kg) plus niridazole (25 mg/kg) gave good results on Schistosoma haematobium: the egg-reduction percentage ranged between 84.7 and 91.2. In Niger, we compared the effects of this medication to oltipraz in a single dose (30 mg/kg). We selected a dosage of 10 mg/kg of metrifonate and 25 mg/kg of niridazole. This trial was carried out during the minimal transmission period. --109 adults (greater than 15 years) received oltipraz and 159 this combined treatment. They were examined twice: 11/2 month and 6 months after treatment. At the first control, the cure rate was 26.7% for oltipraz and 23.3% for the combined treatment, the egg-reduction was respectively 77.1% and 41.3%. Six months after treatment, the cure rate was 43.5% for oltipraz and 27.7% for the combined treatment and the egg-reduction was 66.5% and 2.0% respectively. Following these results, the authors recommend against the combined treatment in Niger. They note that if, in some particular conditions, this medication can give good results (PUGH, 1978, TEESDALE et al., 1980) it is however necessary to include its test in future control projects. Also, they note the weak result obtained with oltipraz; but, in this case, the heavy endemic level and high egg-loads might explain it, as well as the fact that the 30 mg/kg dosage was probably insufficient.