[Specific treatment as a weapon for controlling schistosomiasis].

The specific treatment of schistosomiasis has been thought to prevent or revert severe forms of the disease, since 1957. Starting in 1977, prospective and controlled studies performed in different endemic areas of Brazil were able to confirm such facts. The new drugs, of high efficacy and well tolerated--Oxamniquine and Praziquantel--can actually prevent and cure the severe forms of some patients, contributing to change the morbidity pattern of the disease, thus being considered as important weapons in its control. Analysis of the principal Brazilian articles on the subject is presented.