Tropical Medicine and Infectious Diseases

Drugs in Treating Urinary Schistosomiasis

Urinary schistosomiasis caused by trematodes of the genus Schistosoma known as Schistosoma haematobium. Schistosoma haematobium, also known to be “urinary blood fluke” that inhabits and multiplies eggs in the small venules of the perivesical and portal systems. Urinary schistosomiasis is endemic in 53 countries in Africa and the Middle East. A cholinesterase inhibitor Metrifonate is another selective treatment for SH; it has good efficacy and safety properties. Although it is economic, causes low recurrence rates. Metrifonate is that a prophylactic dose which is needed within two years to guard against recurrence. Niridazole is also highly effective for treating schistosomiasis, and a single dose of niridazole daily has a high cure rate.