Abstract
A total of 48 female albino mice, with average weight 23 g, have been used in this study, divided into 4 groups (12 mice for each group). Groups I & II served as uninfected groups. Group II was subjected to pregnancy and received an oral dose of Mirazid (300 mg/Kg) (Pharco Pharmaceuticals, Alexandria, Egypt) for three consecutive days. Groups III and IV were infected subcutaneously with 60 ±10 Schistosoma mansoni cercariae (Egyptian strain) and were subjected to pregnancy. Group IV received an oral dose of Mirazid (300 mg/Kg). The results showed that the distribution of implantation sites of fetuses in the uterine horns was found unequal in infected groups which completed the pregnancy. The mean number of fetuses was smaller in infected, treated or both groups when compared with control groups. Also, there were many abortion cases, especially when infection progressed. In the present study, infection was found to induce some growth retardation among fetuses as compared with the control ones. Growth retardation was indicated by highly significant decrease in their body weight and length, abnormal skin and limbs, kinky tail, kyphotic body and hematoma formation. Treatment with Mirazid did not improve these malformation as well as control ones. In conclusion, more studies are needed regarding the relationship between the pregnancy and schistosomiasis as the present work reflects the deleterious effect of schistosomiasis on the pregnant mice and on the fetal outcomes. In addition, the results reflected, for the first time, the unsafely using of Mirazid during pregnancy where announcement should be clear to avoid Mirazid in treatment of schistosome-infected pregnant women.
Highlights
Schistosomiasis currently affects ~207 million people in tropical countries and~40 million women of child-bearing age
The clinical decision to treat pregnant women is influenced in part by the potential adverse impact of maternal schistosome infection on pregnancy outcomes (Kurtis et al, 2011)
A randomized controlled trial of praziquantel treatment during the second or third trimester of pregnancy did not detect a birth weight difference in 458 S. mansoni infected Ugandan women, the infection intensity was low in this population and treatment occurred late in gestation (Ndibazza et al, 2010)
Summary
Schistosomiasis currently affects ~207 million people in tropical countries and~40 million women of child-bearing age. Human infection with schistosomes results in the elaboration of proinflammatory cytokines that are detected in the systemic circulation. Each of these cytokines has been implicated in fetal growth restriction in human studies (Crocker et al, 2003). The health status of a woman before pregnancy is crucial determinant of gestational morbidity and pregnancy outcomes. Because schistosomiasis causes both anemia and under nutrition, maternal schistosomiasis could have deleterious consequences during pregnancy (Kurtis et al, 2011)
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