2026/07/06 by Gloria Kakoba Ayebazibwe, Pytsje T. Hoekstra, Andrew Edielu +15
Immunology and Microbiology · Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology · #Parasites and Host Interactions #Protease and Inhibitor Mechanisms #Bacterial Infections and Vaccines
paper · pdf · doi:10.1017/s0031182026102431
Abstract Limited data on schistosomal circulating anodic antigen (CAA) cure after praziquantel (PZQ) treatment are available from preschool-aged children (PSAC). As part of the Praziquantel In Preschool-aged children (PIP) study, we quantified CAA before and after treatment. PSAC infected with Schistosoma mansoni were randomized to receive PZQ either as 1 dose of 40 mg kg −1 or 2 doses of 40 mg kg −1 (i.e. 80 mg kg −1 ) 3 hours apart at baseline, and same dose or placebo 6 months later. CAA levels were measured using the Up-Converting reporter Particle, Lateral Flow CAA assay at baseline, 4 weeks, 6 months and 12 months post baseline treatment. Cure rate (CR), as determined by CAA clearance post-treatment, and intensity reduction rate, as determined by the reduction in CAA-levels post-treatment, were calculated at the 3 time points. Multivariable logistic regression was carried out to ascertain factors associated with ‘CAA positivity’ at the 3 post-baseline treatment time points. Overall, 228/354 PSAC enrolled had complete CAA data at all time points and were included in the analysis. The median age was 36 months (interquartile range 31–42). CR significantly differed at all time points with the highest CR (42.0%) at 12 months post-treatment in the group that received 80 mg kg −1 at baseline and 80 mg kg −1 at 6 months. There was no significant difference in intensity reduction rates between the 4 groups at the different time points. In conclusion, higher PZQ dosing resulted in improved schistosomal CAA cure in PSAC, and, given its established safety, supports the consideration of increasing the PZQ dose for PSAC.