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Scanning and transmission electron microscope studies on the efficacy of praziquantel onHymenolepis nana (Cestoda) in vitro

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Summary

The dwarf tapeworm,Hymenolepis nana, was studied by means of scanning and transmission electron microscopy after in vitro exposure to 1, 10, and 100 μg/ml of the anthelmintic praziquantel (Droncit®) for 5, 15, 30, and 60 min. The resulting vacuolization of the tegument was exclusively confined to the neck region of the tapeworms and was already observed after treatment for 5 min with 1 μg/ml.

This vacuolization finally led to the disruption of the syncytial layer in the apical region of the tegument. The tegumental microtriches and the surface coat remained unaffected. Proglottids of the middle or posterior regions of the worms never showed destruction.

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Abbreviations

B:

Bubbles

Bl:

Basement layer

CM:

Circular musculature

LM:

Longitudinal musculature

M:

Microtriches

MI:

Mitochondria

P:

Proglottid

R:

Rostellum

S:

Sucker

SC:

Scolex

TD:

Tegumentary disks

TG:

Tegument

TGC:

Tegumental cell

V:

Vacuoles

SEM:

Scanning electron microscopy

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institut für Zoologie II der Universität Düsseldorf, Universitätsstraße 1, D-4000, Düsseldorf 1, Federal Republic of Germany

    Benedikt Becker & Heinz Mehlhorn

  2. Bayer Pharma-Forschungszentrum, Institut für Chemotherapie, D-5600, Wuppertal 1

    Peter Andrews & Herbert Thomas

Authors
  1. Benedikt Becker
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  2. Heinz Mehlhorn
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  3. Peter Andrews
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  4. Herbert Thomas
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Becker, B., Mehlhorn, H., Andrews, P. et al. Scanning and transmission electron microscope studies on the efficacy of praziquantel onHymenolepis nana (Cestoda) in vitro. Z. Parasitenkd. 61, 121–133 (1980). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00925459

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00925459

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