title: Speckle interferometry applied to pharmacodynamic studies: evaluation of parasite motility.
abstract: The work reported here describes the application of the optical technique known as dynamic speckle interferometry to evaluate the motility of nematode parasites exposed to different anthelmintic drugs. This technique, a well proven tool for assessing the time evolution of different phenomena, is here successfully used to quantify parasite motility in pharmacodynamic assays. The characterization of the pharmacological properties of anthelmintic drugs is critical to optimize their use in parasite control. Besides, the evaluation of nematode motility is a relevant indicator of the pharmacodynamic effect of anthelmintic drugs. The application of this approach to study the motility of Haemonchus contortus (used as a model of nematode parasites) larvae exposed to different drugs is presented, showing its usefulness.
authors.affiliation: Instituto de Física Arroyo Seco (IFAS), Facultad de Ciencias Exactas, UNCPBA, Pinto 399, B7000GHG, Tandil, Argentina. juanp@exa.unicen.edu.ar
authors.forename: J A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Pomarico
authors.forename: H O
authors.initials: HO
authors.lastname: Di Rocco
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Alvarez
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Lanusse
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Mottier
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Saumell
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Arizaga
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Rabal
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Trivi
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000871:Anthelmintics / Q000493:pharmacokinetics* / Q000494:pharmacology*; D006189:Haemonchus / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D007090:Image Interpretation, Computer-Assisted / Q000379:methods*; D007368:Interferometry / Q000379:methods*; D009068:Movement / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D010599:Pharmacokinetics; D010600:Pharmacology / Q000379:methods
chemical_list: D000871:Anthelmintics