The effect of mebendazole and praziquantel on the cysts of Echinococcus granulosus, Taenia hydatigena and T. ovis in sheep

Authors: Heath DD, Lawrence SB
Publication: New Zealand Veterinary Journal, Volume 26, Issue 1-2, pp 11-15, Jan 1978
Publisher: Taylor and Francis

Animal type: Livestock, Production animal, Ruminant, Sheep
Subject Terms: Alimentary system/gastroenterology, Animal remedies/veterinary medicines, Anthelmintics, Parasite control, Parasites - internal, Cestode, Notifiable organisms/exotic disease, Zoonosis, Treatment/therapy, Public health, Infectious disease
Article class: Scientific Article

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Abstract: When administered orally at 50 mg/kg live weight to sheep for 14 days mebendazole killed almost all Taenia hydatigena and T. ovis cysts and significantly retarded the growth of Echinococcus granulosus cysts. A single subcutaneous injection of mebendazole at 50 mg/kg was ineffective and was only partially effective when injected at this rate into the peritoneal cavity. The lack of effect was attributed to the slow solubilization of the injected depot. Praziquantel injected subcutaneously at 50 mg/kg disappeared from the injection site within three weeks. All T. hydatigena cysts were killed in sheep harbouring up to 100 cysts, but not in those with more than this number. All T. ovis cysts were apparently killed. This drug had no effect on E. granulosus. The lethal effect of intraperitoneally injected mebendazole, and of praziquantel, on T. hydatigena cysts was related to the biomass of cysts.

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