CLINICAL EVALUATION OF F30066 IN LONG-COURSE TREATMENT OF SCHISTOSOMIASIS JAPONICA

1.F30066 therapy was carriedout in 136 patients(104 males and 32females),among whom 21 had acute,46 chronic and 69 advanced schisto-somiasis japonica.The majority of thepatients had marked constitutionalsymptoms and 26 had coexistentdiseases contraindicated to antimonialtreatment.2.The daily dose in children was60 mg per kg in 6 cases,70-80 mg perkg in 28 cases and 90-100 mg per kg in14 cases.Adult patients were given50-60 mg per kg in 65 cases and 70-80mg per kg in 23 cases.It was dividedinto 4 portions given orally in capsules.Adjustment or extension of the schedulewas made when necessary,dependingon the tolerance and response of theindividual patient.The duration oftreatment was 1-4(1/2)months;in 44.9%of the patients it was 1(1/2)-2(1/2)months.3.The clinical responses werestriking;fever disappeared with con-current diminution of symptoms andsigns.The immediate therapeutic re-sult was 83.8%.90 cases were followed up for 1-6months after completion of treatment.All symptoms disappeared without re-lapse of fever,and working capacityincreased.Of 42 cases repeatedly ex-amined by the hatching and concentra-tion methods 1 month after completionof therapy,36(85.7%)were foundnegative;of 50 cases reexamined 2-3months after completion of therapy,40 cases were found negative.The cu-mulative negative rate was 81.4%.When reexamined 4-6 months aftertreatment,14 of 18 cases were negativewith a total cumulative curative rate of77.7%.4.The major side effects weregastrointestinal disturbance and mus-cular cramps.Mild psychiatric changesof short duration were occasionallynoted in advanced schistosomiasis.All side effects evoked by F30066 promptlydisappeared after interruption of treat-ment and no sequelae were encounteredduring follow up.5.F30066 is a new orally effec-tive nonantimonial schistosomicide.Itscurative rate is not inferior to that ofantimony potassium tartrate if givenover a relatively long course.It is es-pecially suitable where antimonialtreatment is contraindicated.