Praziquantel is used to treat infections caused by which class of organisms?

• A. Helminths
• B. Bacteria
• C. Viruses
• D. Fungi

Answer: (A)

Praziquantel treats infections caused by helminths, especially flatworms such as tapeworms (cestodes) and flukes (trematodes). It works by increasing the parasite’s cell-membrane permeability to calcium, which causes rapid muscle contraction and paralysis, leading to detachment and death of the worm. This makes it effective for infections like schistosomiasis and other trematode or cestode infections. It’s not used against bacteria, viruses, or fungi, which require entirely different classes of medications.