This work is a trial to evaluate the effect of the combination of the anthelmintic drug praziquantel (CAS 55268-74-1, PZQ, EMBAY 8440, Biltricide) with the antifibrotic agent beta-aminopropionitrile-monofumarate salt (BAPN, CAS 2079-89-2). It is also a trial to elucidate the repercussions of this drug combination upon worm and tissue egg loads and oogram pattern. Moreover, it aims to study their effects on the hepatic granuloma size and the resistance to reinfection in experimental murine schistosomiasis mansoni. A group of 120 Swiss albino mice was used. This group was further subdivided into six small subgroups. Subgroup I comprised infected untreated control mice. Subgroup II comprised infected untreated challenged control mice. Subgroup III comprised challenged control mice. Subgroup IV comprised infected mice treated with PZQ 500 mg/kg b. w. orally for two successive days. Subgroup V comprised infected mice given BAPN daily as 5 mg powder in 0.5 ml saline for 14 successive days. Subgroup VI comprised mice given both PZQ + BAPN. Animals were sacrificed 12 weeks post primary infection. Mice given the combination regimen PZQ + BAPN, compared to those given each drug solely, revealed absence of worm recovery at perfusion and only dead ova in the oogram (99.2 + 0.6). Inspite of the marked reduction in the hepatic and intestinal tissue egg loads recorded, this drug combination revealed the highest score of percent resistance to reinfection (91.2 + 0.5%). The data were less salient in mice given PZQ or BAPN alone.

Background: Vaso-occlusive crisis (VOC) is a significant cause of morbidity and mortality in sickle cell disease (SCD) patients. As polymorphisms in human platelet antigens (HPA) exhibit a prothrombotic nature, we hypothesized that specific HPA polymorphisms could have a role in the pathogenesis of VOC in SCD. Aim of Study: This study investigated HPA-3 T2622G among Egyptian SCD patients. Patients and Methods: This study included 100 SCD patients and 50 controls. Patients were divided into, VOC group (n=60), and steady-state group (n=40). Genotyping was done using PCR-based Restriction Fragment Length Polymorphism (RFLP) technique. Results: The HPA-3 mutant genotypes were significantly associated with SCD compared to controls (p=0.001), while no significant difference was observed between VOC and steady-state groups (p=0.169). Regarding the frequency of VOC episodes, the HPA-3 homozygous mutant genotypes showed significant differences (p=0.001). The HPA-3 mutant genotypes were significantly correlated with generalized type of VOC (p=0.006) and need for hospitalization (p=0.003). Regarding VOC complications, the HPA-3b/3b genotype was significantly associated with acute chest syndrome (p=0.008) and stroke (p=0.012). Conclusion: The HPA-3 T2622G is common among SCD patients. Although it is not a major determinant of vasculocclusion in SCD, it is significantly associated with VOC complications and may alter their outcome.