Effects of multiple doses of isoprinosine on Echinococcus multilocularis metacestodes.

Isoprinosine was given at daily doses of 0.5, 1, 2, and 4 g kg-1 of body weight to jirds that were infected for 3 months with Echinococcus multilocularis metacestodes. The effects of the different drug doses on metacestodes were studied by transmission electron microscopy and biochemical methods. At lower doses, increases in uric acid and adenosine deaminase activity were noted. At 4 g kg-1 of body weight, marked ultrastructural damage with metabolic perturbations was observed.