title: Effects of PEG-interferon-alpha-2A on Schistosoma mansoni infection in mice.
abstract: In some regions of the world, co-existence of schistosomiasis and hepatitis C (HCV) infection is common. Because the morbidity in human schistosomiasis is primarily due to host cell-mediated immune response, it was of interest to determine the effects on Schistosoma mansoni infection of an immune stimulator used in the standard treatment of HCV infection. Schistosoma mansoni -infected mice were treated with PEG-interferon-alpha-2a (PEG-IFN-alpha) by subcutaneous injection. Groups 1, 2, and 3 received 0.2 microg, 0.6 microg, and 1 microg PEG-IFN-alpha/wk, respectively, while group 4 received saline. The total worm burden was lower in all treated groups, with a maximal reduction of 35% after 9 wk of treatment with 1 microg PEG-IFN-alpha. Interferon treatment also increased the proportion of single worms over pairs. Ova counts in intestine and liver, as well as the number of liver granulomas, were greatly decreased at all time points for all treated groups. PEG-IFN-alpha also had inhibitory effects on the size of granulomas after 4 wk of treatment. The results suggest that PEG-IFN-alpha may be worth investigating for the treatment of human schistosomiasis when standard oral agents cannot be used, or when rapid inhibition of granuloma formation may be a priority.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biochemistry, National Research Centre, El Buhoth Street, Dokki, Cairo, Egypt 12311.
authors.forename: Hossam M
authors.initials: HM
authors.lastname: Draz
authors.forename: Sohair S
authors.initials: SS
authors.lastname: Mahmoud
authors.forename: Esmat
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Ashour
authors.forename: Yehia M
authors.initials: YM
authors.lastname: Shaker
authors.forename: Catherine H
authors.initials: CH
authors.lastname: Wu
authors.forename: George Y
authors.initials: GY
authors.lastname: Wu
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000998:Antiviral Agents / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005260:Female; D006526:Hepatitis C / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy; D000077190:Interferon alpha-2; D016898:Interferon-alpha / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D007422:Intestines / Q000469:parasitology; D008099:Liver / Q000469:parasitology / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D010270:Parasite Egg Count; D011092:Polyethylene Glycols / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D012550:Schistosoma mansoni / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000254:growth & development; D012555:Schistosomiasis mansoni / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000276:immunology; D012556:Schistosomicides / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*
chemical_list: D000998:Antiviral Agents; D000077190:Interferon alpha-2; D016898:Interferon-alpha; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D012556:Schistosomicides; D011092:Polyethylene Glycols; C100416:peginterferon alfa-2a