Table 6.
Summarized information of the drug evaluation, alone or in combination, along with their effect on the treatment of schistosomiasis.
| Treatment | Category | Species Targeted | Efficacy/Details | References |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PZQ | Standard drug | Most Schistosoma spp. | High efficacy with 40 mg/kg, CR: 57–88%, egg reduction rates: 95% | [138] |
| PZQ (60 mg/kg) | Standard drug |
S. japonicum, S. mekongi |
Higher dosages for these species | [138] |
| PZQ + antimalarial artemisinin | Drug Combination | Immature larval forms of schistosomes | Higher efficacy and cure rates than PZQ alone | [141,155] |
| PZQ + Dihydroartemisinin-Piperaquine (DHP) | Drug Combination | Not specified | Superior effectiveness, higher systemic PZQ exposure | [141,143,155] |
| Linalool or Cinnamomum camphora extracts | Snail management (Preventive) | Snail hosts for schistosomes (S. japonicum) |
Disintegration of snail gills and cell degradation, used for S. japonicum | [144] |
| PZQ + Moxidectin | Drug combination | S. mansoni and S. haematobium | CR: 92.9% (S. mansoni), 100% (S. haematobium), >99% egg reduction. PZQ damages the worm’s tegument; moxidectin affects the nervous system | [135] |
| Artesunate-PZQ | Drug combination | S. mansoni | Promising results | [147] |
| Artesunate-Mefloquine | Drug combination | S. haematobium | Effective treatment | [148] |
| PZQ (intradermal administration) | Alternative delivery | Not specified | Good tolerability, potential for improved adherence | [149] |
| LAI PZQ formulations | Alternative delivery | Not specified | Potential to simplify treatment regimens, improve adherence | [149] |
| LAI (PZQ implants) |
Alternative delivery | S. japonicum | Stable plasma concentrations maintained for up to 70 days, preventing infection in mice | [151] |
| Single vs. multiple doses of PZQ | Optimized existing regimen | Different Schistosoma species | Enhanced outcomes, especially in preschool-aged children | [152] |
| Next-generation PZQ derivatives | PZQ derivatives | Various Schistosoma spp. | Improved efficacy and longer-lasting effects | [154] |
| Water Sanitation and Hygiene Programs (WASH) | Integrated with Drug Treatment | General schistosomiasis prevention | Timing and integration with sanitation efforts being explored | [153] |
| PZQ in Cohort Study | Evaluated Effect on LGIM | S. mansoni | Partial improvement in LGIM abnormalities 6 months after treatment | [145] |
| Health education programs | Complementary strategy | Essential for promoting early diagnosis, treatment adherence, and understanding of drug combinations, sanitation, and hygiene |