In vitro effects of flubendazole on Echinococcus granulosus protoscoleces

ELISSONDO M, DOPCHIZ M, CEBALLOS L, ALVAREZ L, SANCHEZ BRUNI S, LANUSSE C, DENEGRI G.

PARASITOLOGY RESEARCH

Springer Verlag

Lugar: Berlin; Año: 2006 vol. 98 p. 317 - 323

0932-0113

Abstract The aim of the present work was to determine thein vitro protoscolicidal effect of flubendazole (FLBZ)against Echinococcus granulosus. Protoscoleces of E.granulosus were incubated with FLBZ at concentrationsof 10, 5 and 1 ìg/ml. The first signs of FLBZ-induceddamage were observed 3 days post-incubation. A clearprotoscolicidal effect, reducing the vitality of protoscolecesto 35.6±0.7%, was observed after 18 days of incubation.After 25 days of FLBZ incubation (5 ìg/ml), the percentageof vital protoscoleces was 13.9±5.9%. Protoscolex mortalitywas 100% (10 and 1 ìg/ml) and 0.7±0.7% (5 ìg/ml)after FLBZ incubation for 30 days. Results of vitality testswere consistent with the tissue damage observed at theultrastructural level. The primary site of damage was thetegument of the parasite. The morphological changesincluded contraction of the soma region, formation ofblebs on the tegument, rostellar disorganization, loss ofhooks and destruction of microtriches. The data reported inthis article demonstrate a clear in vitro effect of FLBZagainst E. granulosus protoscoleces.