Recent investigations of artemether, a novel agent for the prevention of schistosomiasis japonica, mansoni and haematobia
- PMID: 12020890
- DOI: 10.1016/s0001-706x(02)00009-8
Recent investigations of artemether, a novel agent for the prevention of schistosomiasis japonica, mansoni and haematobia
Abstract
Two decades ago, a group of Chinese scientists discovered the antischistosomal properties of artemether, a derivative of the antimalarial drug artemisinin. However, it was only recently that the importance of this finding was recognized internationally, following a collaborative effort between Chinese, European and African scientists, who investigated the effects of artemether against the major human schistosome species. Laboratory studies revealed that artemether exhibits the highest activity against juvenile stages of the parasites, while adult worms are significantly less susceptible. There was no indication of neurotoxicity following repeated high doses of artemether given fortnightly for up to 5 months. Randomized controlled clinical trials confirmed that artemether, orally administered at a dose of 6 mg/kg once every 2-3 weeks, results in no drug-related adverse effects, and significantly reduces the incidence and intensity of schistosome infections. The risk that these treatment regimens might select for resistance, particularly for resistant-plasmodia, appears to be low. Combined treatment with artemether and praziquantel, given to animals harbouring juvenile and adult schistosome worms, resulted in significantly higher worm burden reductions than each drug administered singly. In conclusion, artemether-integrated with other control strategies-has considerable potential for reducing the current burden of schistosomiasis in different epidemiological settings.
Similar articles
-
Effect of combined treatment with praziquantel and artemether on Schistosoma japonicum and Schistosoma mansoni in experimentally infected animals.Acta Trop. 2001 Sep 1;80(1):9-18. doi: 10.1016/s0001-706x(01)00138-3. Acta Trop. 2001. PMID: 11495639
-
The potential of artemether for the control of schistosomiasis.Int J Parasitol. 2001 Dec;31(14):1549-62. doi: 10.1016/s0020-7519(01)00297-1. Int J Parasitol. 2001. PMID: 11730781 Review.
-
Oral artemether for prevention of Schistosoma mansoni infection: randomised controlled trial.Lancet. 2000 Apr 15;355(9212):1320-5. doi: 10.1016/s0140-6736(00)02114-0. Lancet. 2000. PMID: 10776745 Clinical Trial.
-
Effect of praziquantel together with artemether on Schistosoma japonicum parasites of different ages in rabbits.Parasitol Int. 2000 Mar;49(1):25-30. doi: 10.1016/s1383-5769(00)00029-5. Parasitol Int. 2000. PMID: 10729714
-
Development of antischistosomal drugs in China, with particular consideration to praziquantel and the artemisinins.Acta Trop. 2005 Nov-Dec;96(2-3):153-67. doi: 10.1016/j.actatropica.2005.07.010. Epub 2005 Aug 19. Acta Trop. 2005. PMID: 16112072 Review.
Cited by
-
Efficacy of artemether against toxocariasis in mice: parasitological and immunopathological changes in brain, liver, and lung.Pathog Glob Health. 2024 Feb;118(1):47-64. doi: 10.1080/20477724.2023.2285182. Epub 2024 Jan 2. Pathog Glob Health. 2024. PMID: 37978995
-
In Vitro and In Vivo Antischistosomal Activity Profiling and Pharmacokinetics of Ozonide Carboxylic Acids.ACS Infect Dis. 2023 Mar 10;9(3):643-652. doi: 10.1021/acsinfecdis.2c00581. Epub 2023 Feb 16. ACS Infect Dis. 2023. PMID: 36794836 Free PMC article.
-
Swiss-Chinese Cooperation in Tropical Medicine: The Role of Professor Marcel Tanner.Diseases. 2022 Oct 8;10(4):83. doi: 10.3390/diseases10040083. Diseases. 2022. PMID: 36278582 Free PMC article. Review.
-
Schistosomiasis in the People's Republic of China - down but not out.Parasitology. 2022 Feb;149(2):218-233. doi: 10.1017/S0031182021001724. Epub 2021 Nov 3. Parasitology. 2022. PMID: 35234601 Free PMC article.
-
In vitro Effects of Punica granatum Ellagitannins on Adult Worms of Schistosoma mansoni.Res Rep Trop Med. 2020 Oct 5;11:73-80. doi: 10.2147/RRTM.S248604. eCollection 2020. Res Rep Trop Med. 2020. PMID: 33117051 Free PMC article.
Publication types
MeSH terms
Substances
LinkOut - more resources
Full Text Sources