Studies on the Chemotherapy of Experimental Schistosomiasis. I. A Method for Detecting Schistosomacidal Activity Based on Response of Schistosoma mansoni Infections in Mice to Fuadin Therapy

Abstract

Weanling mice were exposed to 22-25 cercariae per g. body weight by the tail immersion method. The resulting infections were lethal within 8 weeks. Treatment of the mice with Miracil D, Fuadin, or any active drug started on the 35th day and continued for 5 days increased the survival time of the animals beyond 8 weeks. The livers of the animals receiving the active compounds were easily distinguishable from those given the inactive compounds and from the untreated controls. Two weeks after effective treatment, dead worms were found in gross lesions, usually distributed along the periphery of the lobes, by low power examination of press preparations of the liver. Few egg lesions were present. However, the small lesions containing schistosome eggs were scattered throughout the livers of the untreated controls or of those given ineffective treatment.