[The effect of artesunate in preventing the populations from Schistosoma japonicum infection during flood-control].
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the prophylactic effect of artesunate in high-risk populations who had contacted the infested water.


METHODS
From the 7th day post-exposure to infested water, a total of 17,031 people who had contacted the infested water for more than 20 days had been treated with artesunate at a dose of 300 mg once a week for three successive weeks. On day 17 after the last medication, they were examined for schistosomiasis and followed-up 60 days later.


RESULTS
No acute schistosomiasis case was found. ELISA-positive was found in 204(1.20%) and COPT > 3% was found in 195 cases (1.14%). The side-effects were slight.


CONCLUSIONS
Artesunate is highly effective and safe for the prevention of schistosomiasis.
Hu
S Y
SY
Antischitosomiasis Hospital of Honghu, Honghu 433200.
Liu
J
J
Wang
B
B
Hu
Z D
ZD
Xiao
C J
CJ
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000962:Antimalarials / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D037621:Artemisinins / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000077332:Artesunate; D004190:Disasters; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012554:Schistosomiasis japonica / Q000517:prevention & control*; D012717:Sesquiterpenes / Q000627:therapeutic use*
D000962:Antimalarials; D037621:Artemisinins; D012717:Sesquiterpenes; D000077332:Artesunate