title: Ineffectiveness of myrrh-derivative Mirazid against schistosomiasis and fascioliasis in humans.
abstract: The present study assessed the schistosomicidal and fasciolicidal actions of the myrrh-derivative Mirazid in an area of low schistosomiasis transmission. A total of 27 patients infected with Schistosoma mansoni and 16 with Fasciola spp. received the maximum recommended dose of Mirazid. Pretreatment egg counts in 4 Kato-Katz slides were compared with similar counts in stool samples collected 1 and 2 months after treatment. Standard procedures and quality control measures were followed. The results revealed that Mirazid used as schistosomicidal or fasciolicidal agent in the maximum recommended dose has a low cure rate and produced a negligible reduction in egg counts. Prescribing such an ineffective drug in Egypt might endanger the achievements of the schistosomiasis control strategy.
authors.affiliation: Department of Parsitology, Medical Research Institute, University of Alexandria, Alexandria, Egypt.
authors.forename: M M
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: Osman
authors.forename: H A
authors.initials: HA
authors.lastname: El-Taweel
authors.forename: A Y
authors.initials: AY
authors.lastname: Shehab
authors.forename: H F
authors.initials: HF
authors.lastname: Farag
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D029744:Commiphora; D004534:Egypt / Q000453:epidemiology; D005211:Fascioliasis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000469:parasitology / Q000635:transmission; D005243:Feces / Q000469:parasitology; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010270:Parasite Egg Count / Q000379:methods; D008517:Phytotherapy / Q000379:methods*; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D012116:Resins, Plant; D012423:Rural Health / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012552:Schistosomiasis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000469:parasitology / Q000635:transmission; D017211:Treatment Failure
chemical_list: D010936:Plant Extracts; D012116:Resins, Plant; C587573:myrrh resin