Twenty three patients with a less than six year history of the hepatosplenic form of schistosomiasis were treated with oxamniquine. They remained in the endemic area, were reinfected and re-examined after 2-4 years. Improvement was noted in 78,3% of the patients. The recovery varied from complete reversion of the hepatosplenomegaly (26%) to a reduction of the splenomegaly with or without persistent hepatic nodular lesions. Response to the treatment was not influenced by the number of S. mansoni eggs in the feces nor by repetitions of the treatment. In schistosomiasis with portal hypertension, at least in theabsenceofdigestive hemorrhages, specific treatment must preceed any recommended surgery.
Schistosomiasis; Oxamniquine; Treatment; Reversion of hepatosplenomegaly