Elsevier Experimental Parasitology Available online 27 May 2022, 108282 In Press, Journal Pre-proofWhat are Journal Pre-proof articles? Experimental Parasitology Electrical potentials of protoscoleces of the cestode Echinococcus granulosus from bovine or

CARABAJAL MONICA A; MARIA JOSE FERNANDEZ SALOMON; OLIVERA SANTIAGO R; DURAN MARCOS A; CANTIELLO HORACIO F

EXPERIMENTAL PARASITOLOGY

ACADEMIC PRESS INC ELSEVIER SCIENCE

Lugar: Amsterdam; Año: 2022

0014-4894

Larval stages of taeniid Echinococcus granulosus are the infective forms of cystic echinococcosis or hydatidosis, a worldwide zoonosis. The protoscolex that develops into the adult form in the definitive host is enveloped by a complex cellular syncytial tegument, where all metabolic interchange takes place. Little information is available as to the electrical activity of the parasite in this developmental stage. To gain insight into the electrical activity of the parasite at the larval stage, we conducted microelectrode impalements of bovine lung protoscoleces (PSCs) of Echinococcus granulosus in standard saline solution. We observed two distinct intra-parasitic potentials, a transient peak potential, and a stable second potential, most likely representing tegumental and intra-parasitic extracellular space electrical potential differences. These values changed on the developmental status of the parasite, its anatomical regions, or time course after harvesting. Changes in electrical potential differences of the parasite provide an accessible and valuable parameter for the study of transport mechanisms and potential targets for developing novel antiparasitic therapeutics.