Morris D L, Taylor D, Daniels D, Richards K S
Department of Surgery, University Hospital, Nottingham, UK.
Trans R Soc Trop Med Hyg. 1987;81(3):494-7. doi: 10.1016/0035-9203(87)90173-8.
The minimum effective concentration of praziquantel against protoscoleces of Echinococcus granulosus (ovine strain) was determined in vitro; 20 micrograms/litre gave statistically significant results. No difference was seen between the sensitivity of ovine and equine protoscoleces at 50 micrograms/litre. Morphological observations on treated protocsoleces 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.
