Prolonged somatostatin therapy may cause down-regulation of SSTR-like GPCRs on Schistosoma mansoni.

Background & Objectives: Chemotherapy with praziquantel remains the only control measure to Schistosoma mansoni infections to date. The neuropeptide hormone somatostatin gives relief from gastrointestinal disturbances, liverpathology, and reduces egg production in S. mansoni infected mice, suggesting an interaction of somatostatin with the parasite rather than with the host alone.