›› 1984, Vol. 2 ›› Issue (3): 140-143.

Previous Articles     Next Articles

PRELIMINARY OBSERVATION ON PRAZIQUANTEL IN THE TREATMENT OF PARAGONIMIASIS SICHUANENSIS

  

  • Received:2017-01-12 Revised:2017-01-12 Online:1984-08-31 Published:2017-01-12

Abstract: 18 cases of paragonimiasis Sichuanensis were treated by praziquantel from April 1981 to November 1982, and the therapeutic results were evaluated 6 months after treatment. All patients receiving treatment had the history of eating raw crabs or stream water in the endemic area, presented with typical clinical manifestation, and had positive skin test with Paragonimus adult worm antigen. There were 5 cases of cerebro-meningeal type, 1 case of ophthalmic type, 3 cases of pleuro-pulmonary type, and 9 cases of subcutaneous mass type. The dosage schedule of praziquantel was 25 mg/kg three times a day for 2 days for one course. 13 cases received one course, 3 cases of cerebral type and 1 case of ophthalmic type received 2 courses, and one cerebral case received 3 courses of treatment.Since paragonimiasis sichuanensis can not be diagnosed by the finding of eggs in sputum, feces, or body fluids, the only way to evaluate the therapeutic result is by observing the improvement of symptoms and signs. 6 months after treatment, 17 cases had complete absence of symptoms and signs of paragonimiasis; only 1 case had epileptic attacks of markedly reduced frequency and intensity. The side effects of praziquantel were mild and transient. The authors believe that since paragonimiasis sichuanensis is a form of viseral larva migrans, a larger total dosage of praziquantel should be used to effect a cure.