Effect of Artemether on Infectivity of Schistosoma Haematobium Larval Stages to Bulinus Truncatus Snails and to Hamster

The effect of sublethal concentrations of the antihelminthic plant derivative, dihydroartemisinin methyl ether (Artemether) on the infectivity of the larval stages of Schistosoma haematobium to Bulinus truncatus and to hamster (Mesocricetus auratus) and certain physiological parameters of B. truncatus snails was studied. The results obtained showed infectivity of B. truncatus to infection with S. haematobium miracidia was greatly reduced by exposure to LC0, LC10, LC25 of Artemether and also a reduction in the infectivity of the Schistosome cercariae shed from infected B. truncatus post exposure to sublethal concentrations of Artemether. The present results showed viable Bilharzial egg deposition, with related granulomas of chronic inflammatory cellular collection having a portal location in the liver of hamster infected with S. haematobium cercariae. The results obtained showed also that the glucose level in haemolymph of exposed snails was elevated while glycogen content in the soft tissues of the snails was significantly reduced. Sublethal concentrations of Artemether had strong In vivo and In vitro inhibitory effects on acetylcholinesterase activity of B. truncatus.