Efficacy and side effects of praziquantel in the treatment of Schistosomiasis mansoni in schoolchildren in Shesha Kekele Elementary School,Wondo Genet,Southern Ethiopia

Objective:To evaluate the efficacy and side effects of praziquantel(PZQ) in the treatment of schistosomiasis in Ethiopia.Methods:In a cross-sectional study,stool specimens were collected from randomly selected 299 school children in Shesha Kekele Elementary School,Wondo Genet, Southern Ethiopia,in April 2010.Stool specimens were examined using a single Kato-Katz thick smear for Schistosoma mansoni(5.mansoni) ova.Children who were found positive for S.mansoni were treated with a single oral dose of PZQ at 40 mg/kg bw and interviewed for treatment-related symptoms 24 hours after drug administration.Four weeks post-treatment,stool specimens were collected from the same children and examined following the same procedure as in the pretreatment.Drug efficacy was determined based on cure and egg reduction rates.Results:Pretreatment prevalence of S.mansoni infection was 74.9%with geometric mean egg count of 268. The evaluated generic PZQ produced an overall cure rate of 73.6%(P<0.000 1,OR:8.33,CI:5.3-13.1) and egg reduction rate of 68.2%(P=0.03,F=0.64).The cure rate showed significant association with age(x^2=H,P=0.004),the highest rate being observed in the 15-22 age group.83%of S. mansoni infected children showed various treatment-related symptoms,the most frerjiient being headache,nausea,and abdominal pain.These symptoms were associated with age(P<0.001) and pre-treatment intensity of infection(P<0.05).Conclusions:The present observations revealed relatively lower cure and egg reduction rates of the PZQ evaluated as compared to previous reports for other PZQ brands in Ethiopia.Hence,in depth studies are recommended to clarify whether the present relatively lower cure rate is the actual cure rate of the praziquantel evaluated,treatment failure,or reduced susceptibility of the parasite.Treatment-related side effects observed were transient and tolerable.

Intestinal parasitic infections among children under five years of age presenting with diarrhoeal diseases to two public health facilities in Hawassa, South Ethiopia

Background:Diarrhoea is the leading cause of morbidity and mortality in children under 5 years of age in developing countries,including Ethiopia.It is caused by a wide range of pathogens,including parasites,bacteria and viruses.The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of infection with intestinal parasites(IPs)(and types)among children under 5 years of age with diarrhoeal diseases.Methods:A cross-sectional study was conducted at Adare Hospital and Millennium Health Centre,both located in Hawassa,South Ethiopia,from June 6 to October 28,2011.Children under 5 years of age with diarrhoea who visited these health facilities during the study period were included in the study.Data relating to demography and risk factors associated with intestinal parasitic infections(IPIs)were gathered using a structured questionnaire.Single,fresh stool specimens were examined for IPs using the direct wet mount examination,followed by Ziehl-Neelsen staining of formol-ether concentrated samples,as per standard procedures.Data were analysed using SPSS Statistics 20 software.Results:A total of 158 children(51.3%male and 48.7%female)participated in the study.Overall,the prevalence of IPs was 26.6%(42/158).Two species of IPs were detected in six children(3.8%).Entamoeba histolytica/dispar/moshkovskii was the predominant parasite identified(11.4%),followed by Giardia duodenalis(7.0%).The multivariable analysis revealed that the age group≥24 months was significantly associated(AOR=0.221,95%CI:0.085–0.576)with prevalence of IPIs.Conclusion:This study found that intestinal parasites are common among children with diarrheal diseases.The most frequently detected species was E.histolytica/dispar/moshkovskii.Health information about how to prevent diarrheal diseases in general and IPIs in particular should be provided to parents of young children.