The Relative Chemotherapeutic Efficacy of a Nitrovinylfuran (SQ 18,506) against Immature and Mature Stages of Schistosoma Mansoni *

Abstract

The antischistosomal nitrovinylfuran trans-5-amino-3-[2-(5-nitro-2 furyl)-vinyl]-1,2,4 oxadiazole (SQ 18,506) had pronounced chemotherapeutic activity when administered orally to mice at various stages during the development of the parasite, i.e., between 1 and 44 days after infection with cercariae of Schistosoma mansoni. This activity was greater than that observed when identical treatment was initiated at 56 or 125 days post-infection. A single intramuscular injection of SQ 18,506 at 1 or 8 days prior to infection had a marked prophylactic effect. Similar treatment administered 2 or 3 weeks prior to infection did not result in complete protection but produced a significant reduction in worm burdens.