Ultrastructural investigations on the effects of praziquantel on human trematodes from Asia: Clonorchis sinensis, Metagonimus yokogawai, Opisthorchis viverrini, Paragonimus westermani and Schistosoma japonicum.

The effect of praziquantel (Biltricide) on the ultrastructure of trematodes pathogenic to man in Asia was investigated in: Clonorchis sinensis, Opisthorchis viverrini, Schistosoma japonicum, Metagonimus yokogawai, and Paragonimus westermani. The different parasites were isolated from their respective experimental hosts and uniformly incubated for 5, 15, 30 or 60 min at 37 degrees C in medium TC 199 containing 0, 1, 10 or 100 micrograms praziquantel/ml. All parasites exposed to praziquantel were contracted and displayed tegumental alterations. 1. Clonorchis sinensis, Opisthorchis viverrini and Schistosoma japonicum reacted with severe tegumental vacuolisation within 5 min after exposure to 1 microgram praziquantel/ml. The extent of the damage induced increased with exposure time. 2. In vivo treated Opisthorchis viverrini worms had the same damages as in vitro treated ones. 3. Metagonimus yokogawai displayed the same degree of vacuolisation after exposure to all concentrations of praziquantel. Complete destruction of the tegumental surface was not achieved, however, possibly because of the presence of numerous tegumental hooks. 4. Paragonimus westermani was least sensitive to praziquantel. Only very few vacuoles were formed after incubation in 100 micrograms/ml for 60 min. It is assumed that the very dense texture of the thick tegument is responsible for the relative refractoriness to praziquantel in vitro. However, in vivo the parasite is successfully eliminated by praziquantel.