Determination of minimum effective concentration of praziquantel in in vitro

    cultures of protoscoleces of Echinococcus granulosus

    D.L. Morris1, D. Taylor1, D. Daniels2, K.S. Richards2

    Volume 81, Issue 3, Pages 494-497 (1987) Transactions of the Royal Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene

Abstract

    The minimum effective concentration of praziquantel against protoscoleces of Echinococcus

    granulosus (ovine strain) was determined in vitro; 20 μg/litre gave statistically significant results. No difference was seen between the sensitivity of ovine and equine protoscoleces at 50 μg/litre.

    Morphological observations on treated protoscoleces and passage into gerbils both suggested that the eosin-exclusion technique overestimates viability. Electron microscopy of treated protoscoleces showed severe, disruptive tegumentary damage. Praziquantel is thus an extremely active protoscolicidal agent that may have an important peri-operative role in preventing recurrence.