Treatment of Schistosoma mekongi with praziquantel in Cambodian refugees in holding centres in Prachinburi Province, Thailand.

Eighty-four cases of schistosomiasis mekongi among Cambodian refugees in holding centres in Thailand received praziquantel at 30 mg/kg body-weight orally twice in one day. Those treated were admitted to hospital in order to observe side effects for 24 hours. Assessment of the efficacy of praziquantel was based on cure rates. Side effects observed consisted primarily of abdominal pain, anorexia, nausea, emesis and headache. These were generally mild and transient. Physical signs revealed mild hepatomegaly and splenomegaly. The cure rate obtained one month after treatment was 97.5% and by 2 to 12 months after treatment reached 100%.