Comparing Praziquantel Versus Artesunate + Sulfamethoxypyrazine/Pyrimethamine for Treating Schistosomiasis

Randomized Double Blind Clinical Trial in Mali, Comparing the Effectiveness of Artesunate + Sulfamethoxypyrazine/Pyrimethamine Versus Praziquantel in the Treatment of S. Haematobium in Children

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the efficacy of praziquantel versus As+SMP (Co-Arinate FDC ®) in the treatment of Schistosoma haematobium in 6-15 year old Malian children. The nul-hypothesis in this study is that the combination of As+SMP is more effective than praziquantel in the treatment of S. haematobium infected children.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Aged between 6-15 years
• In good health, according to study doctor
• Suffering from urinary schistosomiasis, as diagnosed by the presence of S. haematobium eggs in the urine.
• Residents of Djalakorodji
• Capable of taking oral medication
• Written informed consent to participate in the study, obtained from parent or legal guardian.

Exclusion Criteria:

• Weighing more than 50 kg
• Being pregnant or lactating at the time of the study
• Patient has a severe concomitant disease, as determined by the clinical examination, such as cerebral cysticercosis, HIV,...
• Signs of severe malnutrition (children weighing/measuring more than 3 standard deviations or less than 70% of the median standard reference values determined by WHO, or with systemic oedema affecting both feet).
• Hypersensitivity to As, SMP or PZQ
• Having taken other antimalarial or antischistosomal medication during the study.
• Having participated in previous similar studies