Arsenic trioxide negatively affects Echinococcus granulosus.
Spillage of cyst contents during surgery is the major cause of recurrences of hydatidosis, also called cystic echinococcosis (CE). Currently, many scolicidal agents are used for inactivation of the cyst contents. However, due to complications in the use of those agents, new and more-effective treatment options are urgently needed. The aim of this study was to investigate the in vitro efficacy of arsenic trioxide (ATO) against Echinococcus granulosus protoscolices. Protoscolices of E. granulosus were incubated in vitro with 2, 4, 6, and 8 μmol/liter ATO; viability of protoscolices was assessed daily by microscopic observation of movements and 0.1% eosin staining. A small sample from each culture was processed for scanning and transmission electron microscopy. ATO demonstrated a potent ability to kill protoscolices, suggesting that ATO may represent a new strategy in treating hydatid cyst echinococcosis. However, the in vivo efficacy and possible side effects of ATO need to be explored.
Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Shihezi University, Xinjiang, China.
Bo
B
Wang
Department of Histology and Embryology, School of Medicine, Shihezi University, Xinjiang, China yufengjiang03@126.com lvhl1999@126.com.
Yufeng
Y
Jiang
Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Shihezi University, Xinjiang, China.
Zhuo
Z
Wang
Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Shihezi University, Xinjiang, China.
Fangfang
F
Li
Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Shihezi University, Xinjiang, China.
Guoqiang
G
Xing
Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Shihezi University, Xinjiang, China.
Xinyu
X
Peng
Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Shihezi University, Xinjiang, China.
Shijie
S
Zhang
Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Shihezi University, Xinjiang, China yufengjiang03@126.com lvhl1999@126.com.
Hailong
H
Lv
D000818:Animals; D000077237:Arsenic Trioxide; D001152:Arsenicals / Q000494:pharmacology*; D048209:Echinococcus granulosus / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D008855:Microscopy, Electron, Scanning; D046529:Microscopy, Electron, Transmission; D010087:Oxides / Q000494:pharmacology*
D001152:Arsenicals; D010087:Oxides; D000077237:Arsenic Trioxide