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Schistosoma mansoni
Published in Eric S. Loker, Bruce V. Hofkin, Parasitology, 2015
Eric S. Loker, Bruce V. Hofkin
Schistosoma mansoni is a member of the digenean family Schistosomatidae that is characterized by having separate male and female adults (Figure 1). The adults live in copula in blood vessels, hence their name blood flukes. S. mansoni is one of the causative agents of human intestinal and hepatosplenic schistosomiasis. Schistosomiasis is also known as bilharzia or snail fever.
Why do few drug delivery systems to combat neglected tropical diseases reach the market? An analysis from the technology’s stages
Published in Expert Opinion on Therapeutic Patents, 2022
Jabson Herber Profiro de Oliveira, Igor Eduardo Silva Arruda, José Izak Ribeiro de Araújo, Luise Lopes Chaves, Mônica Felts de La Rocca Soares, José Lamartine Soares-Sobrinho
Schistosomiasis (Bilharzia) is an infectious disease caused by worms of the family Schistosomatidae (S. mansoni, S. guineensis, S. intercalatum, S. japonicum, S. mekongi. and S. haematobium), mainly the Schistosoma mansoni, associated with poor living and hygiene conditions [20]. Its transmission occurs through snails (mollusks) that come into contact with man in polluted rivers containing feces infested with the larval forms of these worms [20,21]. Two main forms of the disease are described, intestinal schistosomiasis and urogenital schistosomiasis. Intestinal schistosomiasis is characterized mainly by abdominal pain, diarrhea and an increase in the volume of the belly as a result of the enlargement of the size of the liver and spleen [20,22,23]. In turn, urogenital schistosomiasis, can cause damage or injury in the urinary and reproductive system [20]. In addition, the disease can also occur with the involvement of the central nervous system (neuroschistosomiasis), requiring more complex and expensive treatment [24]. Although an avoidable disease, schistosomiasis affects about 240 million people worldwide. In addition, more than 700 million live in endemic areas and, in 2010, schistosomiasis was associated with 3.31 million DALYs [15,21]. In 2019, it was associated with around 1.6 million DALYs with approximately a rate of 21.18 (per 100 thousand peoples) in the world [18]. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), the disease is present in 78 countries and about 90% of people in need of treatment live in Africa. Current data on schistosomiasis mortality are inaccurate. Praziquantel is the main drug used in the treatment of the disease, being recommended by the WHO because it is effective against all species of the parasite [20]. In some cases, oxamniquine and triclabendazole may also be indications for treatment [25]. Praziquantel is a drug that has had its cost of production lowered over the years. It is currently produced mainly in Korea and China, being strategic for combating schistosomiasis in these countries [26–29] and in mass treatment programs in African [30–34].