title: Single Versus Double Dose Praziquantel Comparison on Efficacy and Schistosoma mansoni Re-Infection in Preschool-Age Children in Uganda: A Randomized Controlled Trial.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Schistosoma mansoni infection is proven to be a major health problem of preschool-age children in sub-Saharan Africa, yet this age category is not part of the schistosomiasis control program. The objective of this study was to compare the impact of single and double dose praziquantel (PZQ) treatment on cure rates (CRs), egg reduction rates (ERRs) and re-infection rates 8 months later, in children aged 1-5 years living along Lake Victoria, Uganda.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Infected children (n= 1017) were randomized to receive either a single or double dose of PZQ. Initially all children were treated with a single standard oral dose 40 mg/kg body weight of PZQ. Two weeks later a second dose was administered to children in the double dose treatment arm. Side effects were monitored at 30 minutes to 24 hours after each treatment. Efficacy in terms of CRs and ERRs for the two treatments was assessed and compared 1 month after the second treatment. Re-infection with S. mansoni was assessed in the same children 8 months following the second treatment. CRs were non-significantly higher in children treated with two 40 mg/kg PZQ doses (85.5%; 290/339) compared to a single dose (83.2%; 297/357). ERRs were significantly higher in the double dose with 99.3 (95%CI: 99.2-99.5) compared with 98.9 (95%CI: 98.7-99.1) using a single dose, (P = 0.01). Side effects occurred more frequently during the first round of drug administration and were mild and short-lived; these included vomiting, abdominal pain and bloody diarrhea. Overall re-infection rate 8 months post treatment was 44.5%.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  PZQ is efficacious and relatively safe to use in preschool-age children but there is still an unmet need to improve its formulation to suit small children. Two PZQ doses lead to significant reduction in egg excretion compared to a single dose. Re-infection rates with S. mansoni 8 months post treatment is the same among children irrespective of the treatment regimen.
authors.affiliation: Child Health and Development Centre, Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda.
authors.forename: Allen
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Nalugwa
authors.affiliation: Disease Control and Prevention, Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda.
authors.forename: Fred
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Nuwaha
authors.affiliation: Vector Control Division, Ministry of Health, Kampala, Uganda.
authors.forename: Edridah Muheki
authors.initials: EM
authors.lastname: Tukahebwa
authors.affiliation: Department of Veterinary Disease Biology, University of Copenhagen, Frederiksberg, Denmark.
authors.forename: Annette
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Olsen
mesh_terms: D000367:Age Factors; D000818:Animals; D000871:Anthelmintics / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D058069:Neglected Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology; D010270:Parasite Egg Count; D011223:Praziquantel / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D012008:Recurrence; D012550:Schistosoma mansoni / Q000187:drug effects*; D012555:Schistosomiasis mansoni / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000453:epidemiology; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014454:Uganda / Q000453:epidemiology
chemical_list: D000871:Anthelmintics; D011223:Praziquantel