This study evaluated the efficacy of praziquantel (PZQ), artesunate (AS) alone and combined
PZQ-AS targeting Schistosoma mansoni immature-21days old schistosomula. PZQ & AS
were administrated in a single oral dose (500 & 400mg/kg, respectively) alone or in combination
21 days post-infection (PI). Infected mice were sacrificed 56 days PI, parasitological, histological
parameters and serum anti-SEA antibodies were evaluated. PZQ-monotherapy didn't
significantly affect total worm burden (TWB), female worm fecundity (FWF) or tissue egg
load. AS-monotherapy significantly reduced TWB by 69.93%, FWF by 61.56% & tissue ova
(hepatic by 91.54%& intestinal by 91.04%).Also, PZQ-AS combined treatment (21 days PI)
significantly enhanced the developed worm eradication by 89.69%, FWF by 93.98% with
maximal reduction of hepatic and intestinal egg load by 97.08 & 96.96%, respectively. Livers
showed diminished granulomata when PZQ-AS was given 3 weeks PI with maximal drop in
serum levels of anti-SEA specific IgM, total IgG, IgG1 & IgG2 antibodies.