Early treatment with artemether and praziquantel in rabbits repeatedly infected with Schistosoma japonicum cercariae.

When rabbits infected with 48-52 Schistosoma japonicum cercariae once every wk for 6 times or every other day for 5 times were treated ig with artemether (Art) 10 or 15 mg.kg-1 on d7 after the first infection, followed by the repeated administration of the same dose once every 1-2 wk, a promising effect was seen in the groups treated with Art at higher dose. In another group of rabbits with the same drug administration regimens of praziquantel (Pra) were also used in early treatment, but the initial dose was given on d21 after the first infection. The results showed that Pra given at 40 mg.kg-1 in each administration was more promising than the lower dose of 30 mg.kg-1 especially in group treated at 2 wk intervals. Further study indicated that the presence of adult schistosomes in rabbits increased the effect of Pra not only on 21-day-old schistosomule, but also on 14-day-old schistosomules. The results suggest that Art and Pra could be used in field trial for controlling acute schistosomiasis and decreasing the intensity of schistosomal infection.