Reversibility of schistosomal periportal thickening/fibrosis after praziquantel therapy: a twenty-six month follow-up study in Ethiopia

Am J Trop Med Hyg. 2008 Feb;78(2):228-34.

Abstract

To study outcome determinants of schistosomal periportal thickening/fibrosis (PPT/F), 199 subjects (mean age = 24.0 years, range = 7-68 years), 109 with mild (image pattern C) PPT/F, 69 with moderate (image pattern D) PPT/F, and 21 with severe (image patterns E and F) PPT/F were treated with praziquantel and evaluated every six months for a mean duration of 26 months. Subjects excreting Schistosoma mansoni eggs during any of the six-month evaluations were offered repeat treatment. Thirty-five had some improvement, and 69 had total resolution of PPT/F, of which 63.8% resolved within one year. Compared with subjects with moderate lesions, a significantly higher proportion of subjects with mild lesions had resolution/improvement of PPT/F (40.6% versus 69.7%, P < 0.001). Subjects with severe PPT/F showed no improvement. Resolution of PPT/F was significantly more frequent at a younger age, among seronegative for hepatitis B virus and among those with a lower frequency of post-treatment recurrence of S. mansoni infections.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Animals
  • Anthelmintics / therapeutic use*
  • Antibodies, Viral / blood
  • Child
  • Ethiopia
  • Feces / parasitology
  • Female
  • Follow-Up Studies
  • Humans
  • Liver / diagnostic imaging
  • Liver / parasitology
  • Liver Cirrhosis / diagnostic imaging
  • Liver Cirrhosis / etiology*
  • Liver Cirrhosis / parasitology
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Portal Vein / diagnostic imaging
  • Praziquantel / therapeutic use*
  • Schistosoma mansoni / isolation & purification
  • Schistosomiasis mansoni / complications*
  • Schistosomiasis mansoni / diagnostic imaging
  • Schistosomiasis mansoni / drug therapy*
  • Time Factors
  • Ultrasonography
  • World Health Organization

Substances

  • Anthelmintics
  • Antibodies, Viral
  • Praziquantel