The effect of praziquantel administration on the course of hepatitis B among cases with concomitant schistosome infection.

: The present work was designed to study the course of HB virus infection among bilharzial and non-bilharzial patients and to assess the therapeutic effect of praziquantel administration on subsequent course of HB among individuals with concomitant infections. This study included 26 bilharzial cases, 14 cases with HB and 40 cases with both infections (HB and schistosomiasis). Praziquantel was administered to all bilharzial positive cases. Sera were collected from all groups prior to anti-bilharzial chemotherapy, and then later at three and six months post treatment. The results show improvement of both liver function tests and cell mediated immunity as estimated by increased mean value of CD3, CD4, helper/suppressor ratio among individuals who received praziquantel in the two groups with schistosomiasis and concomitant infection. Furthermore the individuals who lost their HB surface antigenaemia were found to have a higher mean pan T cells, CD4 values, normal helper/suppressor ratio and absence of Clc in their sera than those who retained their carrier state. The follow up of HB carriers demonstrated a higher cure rate (clearance of HBsAg) among the group with concomitant infection as compared to the group with virus hepatitis only. HBV type two infection was common among the study population accounting for 25.9% of HBsAg positive cases. 42.9% of them cleared their antigenemia after treatment with praziquantel.