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Abstract
This study was done for the assessment of the correlation between cytokines and the cure patterns in Schistosoma mansoni infection before and after treatment with Praziquantel and Mirazid in Experimental animals. The present study was done on one hundred and twenty Swiss albino mice infected with S. mansoni using tail immersion method (100 cercaria/mouse) at the 6th week post infection. Then, the mice were classified into three main groups: the first group was infected mice without treatment (control group), the second group treated with PZQ (500mg/kg body weight) and the third group treated with MZ (250mg/kg body weight). Members from all mice groups were sacrificed at the following duration 8, 10, 14 and 22 weeks post infection. The drug efficacy was assessed using the following parameters: worm load, liver egg count and the size of liver granuloma. Also, the serum level of IFN-γ, IL-12 and IL-4 were assessed. The following results were obtained: 1- PZQ and mirazid produced significant reduction in worm load compared with control infected group (P<0.05). PZQ showed significant reduction in the worm load compared with MZ. 2- There was a significant reduction in hepatic egg count in mice treated groups compared with control one. In addition, PZQ produced a reduction in hepatic egg count more than MZ with statistically significant differences. 3- PZQ produced significant increase in the level of IFN-γ and IL-12 and decrease in the level of IL-4. Mirazid produced insignificant increase in the level of IFN-γ and IL-12 with insignificant decrease in IL-4. 4- PZQ and mirazid produced reduction in granuloma size, but this reduction was significant in PZQ compared with MZ (p<0.05) .
It is concluded from this work, that the therapeutic effect of PZQ on worm count, tissue egg count and hepatic fibrosis may be mainly related to regulation of cell-mediated immune response during the course of the disease. The drug increases Th1 cytokines (IL-12 and IFN-γ) and decrease Th2 cytokine (IL-4). It can also be concluded that treatment of Schistosoma hepatic fibrosis may be achieved by the use of Th1 cytokines or anti-Th2 cytokines.