Background:

Schistosomiasis is a chronic infection. It is caused by parasitic worms called Schistosoma haematobium (Sh) that are spread by snails that live in rivers. It can lead to liver problems or bladder cancer. Praziquantel (PZQ) is a drug used to treat this infection. After taking it, some people develop increased resistance to reinfection with Sh. Some people with Sh infection can be infected with another worm called Mansonella perstans (Mp). Mp is spread through a biting insect called a midge. It rarely causes symptoms. However, researchers think that Mp infection could affect the body s response to PZQ treatment for or risk of reinfection with Sh.

Objective:

To find out the effects of Mp infection on the response to PZQ treatment for Sh infection.

Eligibility:

Men and women ages 14-80 who:

• Live in Tieneguebougou, Bougoudiana, or surrounding villages in Mali
• Are not pregnant
• Have Sh infection
• Have no other chronic medical conditions

Design:

• Participants will be screened with:

  • Medical history
  • Physical exam
  • Blood and urine tests
  • Stool samples

• Participants will be treated with a single dose of PZQ by mouth.

• After receiving PZQ, participants will return to the clinic for blood and urine tests at the following times:

  • 4, 8, 24, 48, and 72 hours later
  • 5, 7, 9, and 14 days later
  • 1, 3, and 6 months later

Participants who are infected with Sh at the 6-month visit will get another treatment with PZQ.

...

Chronic filarial infection is associated with downregulation of immune responses to both helminth and non-helminth antigens. Praziquantel (PZQ) treatment of schistosomiasis is associated with a dramatic interleukin-5 (IL-5)-dependent increase in eosinophilia that is correlated with resistance to reinfection. We hypothesize that chronic filarial infection with Mansonella perstans (Mp) may attenuate post-treatment eosinophilia and thus impact resistance to reinfection. To address the first part of this question, we plan to compare post-PZQ reactions and reinfection rates in 20 subjects with schistosomiasis and Mp infection to those in 20 subjects with schistosomiasis and no evidence of filarial infection in an area coendemic for both infections in Mali. Signs and symptoms, complete blood counts, intracellular and serum cytokine levels, and markers of eosinophil activation will be assessed at baseline, 4 and 8 hours, and 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 9, and 14 days post-treatment and compared between the two treatment groups. Schistosoma haematobium reinfection rates will also be compared at 1, 3, and 6 months post-treatment.

• INCLUSION CRITERIA (SCREENING):

  1. Male or non-pregnant female subjects
  2. Age 14-80 years (per participant self-report)
  3. Resident of Tienegubougou, Bougoudiana or surrounding villages

  5. Consent to a blood draw to screen for filarial infection and a urine exam to screen for schistosomiasis

  6. Must be willing to have blood samples stored.

EXCLUSION CRITERIA (SCREENING):

1. Known to be pregnant (by history)
2. Chronic medical conditions, including but not limited to diabetes, renal or hepatic insufficiency, immunodeficiency, psychiatric disorder, seizure, that in the investigators judgments are deemed to be clinically significant
3. History of hypersensitivity reaction to PZQ.
4. Weight less than 20 kg

INCLUSION CRITERIA (INTERVENTIONAL STUDY):

1. S. haematobium infection documented at screening and within 14 days prior to the baseline visit
2. The subject agrees to storage of samples for study.

EXCLUSION CRITERIA (INTERVENTIONAL STUDY):

1. Pregnancy (by urine beta-HCG)
2. Chronic kidney or liver disease
3. Hgb <10 mg/dL
4. PZQ treatment since the screening visit
5. Concomitant Schistosoma mansoni, Wuchereria bancrofti (Wb) or Onchocerca volvulus infection
6. Use of immunosuppressive therapies, including steroids, within the past month
7. Any condition that in the investigator s opinion places the subject at undue risk by participating in the study.

EXCLUSION OF CHILDREN AND PREGNANT WOMEN:

Pregnant women will be excluded from this study since it involves administration of medications contraindicated in pregnancy. Children less than 14 years old will be excluded because of the amount of blood required for the immunologic studies. The age of consent in Mali is 18 years of age, so children aged 14 to 17 years will sign an assent form in addition to the consent form to be signed by a parent or tutor. However, married women between the ages of 14 and 17 will sign consent as adults in view of the laws governing emancipation of women in Mali. Subjects who do not participate in this study will receive PZQ as part of the national schistosomiasis control program.

Participation of Women:

-Pregnancy: The effects of praziquantel on the developing human fetus are unknown (pregnancy category B). For this reason, females of

childbearing-age must have a negative pregnancy test result prior to receiving praziquantel. Since the half-life of praziquantel is short (3-4 hours), contraceptive measures will not be required post-treatment.

-Breast feeding: Praziquantel is known to be present in breast milk for up to 3 days following a single dose and is not approved for use in children under the age of 4 years. Consequently, women will be asked to suspend breastfeeding after treatment with PZQ for 3 days. Formula will be provided for breastfed children affected by their mother s participation during this time to ensure adequate nutrition. Depending on the age of the child, formula may be given. A pediatric nurse will be present during this time to provide assistance and counsel to the mothers.