A comparison of the antischistosomal effect of levo- and dextro-praziquantel on Schistosoma japonicum and S. mansoni in mice.

Praziquantel (PZQ) is a racemic compound composed of equal proportions of its optical isomers, levo- and dextro-PZQ. The efficacy of these compounds was compared with that of PZQ in mice infected with Schistosoma japonicum or S. mansoni. Mice were given 50, 2 x 50 (on consecutive days), 500, or 2 x 250 mg/kg of each compound orally 5 weeks after infection. Significant reduction of worm recovery was observed in S. japonicum infection 30 days after treatment with 2 x 50, 500, or 2 x 250 mg/kg of levo-PZQ, whereas no therapeutic effect was demonstrated with dextro-PZQ. Percent reduction in worm burden in mice treated with levo-PZQ was significantly higher than in those with PZQ at a dosage of 2 x 50 mg/kg (67.9% vs. 34.5%). Neither eggs in feces nor miracidial hatching of eggs from the livers and intestines were observed in mice treated with levo-PZQ. In S. mansoni infection, levo-PZQ showed no significant schistosomicidal effect compared with PZQ and dextro-PZQ, although there was reduction in egg counts.