Effects of selected cholinergic and anticholinergic drugs on Brugia malayi (Nematoda).

1. Several drugs were tested as inhibitors of the body movements of adult Brugia malayi. 2. Atropine, carbachol, DDNS (a fluorescent acetylcholine analog), diethylcarbamazine, and physostigmine caused significant reduction in motor activity. 3. Glutamate, hexamethonium, muscarine, norepinephrine, serotonin and d-tubocurarine had no effect. Three novel phosphonium compounds were tested as inhibitors of Brugia and vertebrate acetylcholinesterase. 4. Two of these produced preferential inhibition of the enzyme from Brugia.