Optimal timing of post-operative albendazole prophylaxis in E. granulosus.

Recurrence is an important problem following operations for hydatid disease in man. Significant protection against an intraperitoneal injection of 5000 protoscoleces was achieved in gerbils by a one-month course of albendazole (10 mg kg-1 day-1). However, when prophylaxis was delayed for 15 days after peritoneal inoculation albendazole had no protective effect. Whilst higher serum concentrations probably allow treatment of older infections, these data suggest that protoscoleces are most easily killed by therapy immediately following spillage.