Background: Traditional diagnosis of Schistosoma mansoni infection involves direct microscopic detection of eggs in feces. The use of some stool concentration techniques may increase the diagnostic yield. However, it seems that the sensitivity of parasitological methods diminishes when prevalence and intensity of infection are low, making these methods less appropriate for low-endemic areas and in post treatment situations. In 2001, a new antischistosomal drug, Mirazid® was introduced into the Egyptian market by Pharco Pharmaceutical Company (Alexandria, Egypt). Extensive advertising efforts have encouraged physicians in private clinics to use Mirazid. The chemistry of myrrh is not fully studied. Reports on its anti-schistosomal effect in human or experimental animals seem to be controversial. Methods: Our present study is a laboratory trial aimed at using conventional PCR technique for studying the schistosomicidal effect of Mirazid® in the murine model, and comparing the results with the parasitological results (ova and worm count). Results: Microscopic results showed that there was no eggs passing till the 41st day of infection by examining fecal samples of all infected mice by Kato-Katz technique. Only on the 42nd day, the first batch of eggs appeared in stool samples. Comparable results were found in the number of S. mansoni worms recovered from sacrificed mice of infected groups. By using PCR for detection of S. mansoni specific DNA sequences in murine fecal samples of infected control group, all fecal samples showed positive results by using feces from the 45th day after infection. On the other hand, all fecal samples of uninfected control group showed negative results. Regarding results of the Mirazid® treated group, six fecal samples (60%) showed positive results for feces from the 77th day after infection. Interestingly, the four mice diagnosed negative by PCR were among the eight mice that diagnosed negative by the microscopic technique. Conclusion: The used PCR technique was more sensitive than the Kato-Katz thick smears. Mirazid® showed some schistosomicidal effects against murine S. mansoni. However, it was not efficient enough to cure any of the mice. Thus, re-evaluation of myrrh as a schistosomicidal drug must be considered because of its recommendation by some Egyptian physicians motivated by its natural origin. Abstracts for SupplementInternational Journal of Infectious DiseasesVol. 14Preview Full-Text PDF Open Archive