Antihelminthic activity of the drug, Oltipraz, on the surface ultrastructure of Cysticercus fasciolaris

Abstract

INTRODUCTION : Cysticercus fasciolaris is the larval form of the adult cat tapeworm, Hydatigera taeniaeformis (Taenia taeniaeformis). It is of increasing interest because of the considerabvle pathological conditions produced in a rat or mouse host in which it is normally found. The larvae encapsulate and develop on the liver of rats and mice and as a result of this infection, a serious cancer-like growth may develop (Noble and Noble, 1974). The surface tegument of cestodes like that of schistosomes is a highly active layer in which many processes occur (Smyth 1969, 1966). It is a metabolically active syncytial , protoplasmic layer formed by cytoplasmic extensions from tegumental cells lying in the subtegumental zone. The tegument has two major components, namely the distal cytoplasmic zone appears as a fringe of fine hair-like processes (Smyth, 1969; Jones et al., 1977a, 1977b; Lumsden and Specian, 1980).