Effect of praziquantel on hepatitis B virus markers distribution in bilharzial and non-bilharzial school children

150 school children were randomly chosen from Senhera Village for this study. Their ages ranged from 8-16 years. They were classified into 3 groups: group I comprised 50 students suffering from S, mansoni and were subjected to curative praziquantel single oral dose [40 mg/kg b.w.]. Group II comprised 50 students free from bilharziasis and were subjected to Praziquantel prophylactic dose [20 mg/kg b.w.] repeated every 3 months. Group III comprised 50 students free from bilharziasis who form our Control group. After full clinical and laboratory examination follow up study was done for 8 months after praziquantel therapy. HBs Ag incidence rate was 20,7 percent and anti-HBs was 42,7 percent. In group I, such incidence was 28 percent and anti-HBs was 42 percent, while in group II it was 18 percent and 46 percent for HBs Ag and anti-HBs respectively. In group HI positive HBs Ag was 18 percent and anti-HBs 40 percent. After 6 months follow up, the incidence of HBs Ag, anti-HBs were 14 percent and 40 percent respectively in group I, 4 percent and 50 percent in group II and 2 percent and 48 percent in group III. In group I, the incidence rate of HBs Ag was significantly higher in hepatomegalic stages which also showed persitent antigenaemia after 6 months follow up. The antigenaemia dropped to 0 percent in cured cases while represented 70 percent in those passing living S. mansoni ova. In group II, 4 percent bilharzial infection during the follow up period in spite of praziquantel chemo-prophylaxis and those 4 percent persist antigenaemia after 6 months while it dropped from 14.5 percent to 0 percent in the remainder cases. Incidence of HBs Ag dropped from 18.4 percent to 2.63 percent in those cases of group III who didn't acquired bilharzial infestation during the 6 months follow up