Effect of Praziquantel on the Tegument and Digestive Epithelium Ultrastructure ofBrachylaimasp. Metacercariae Parasitizing the Edible Land SnailCornu aspersum

Abstract

Praziquantel is an anthelmintic used in both human and veterinary medicine. It is indicatedfor use in non-lactating sheep as a single oral dose of 3.75 mg/kg bw. Praziquantel is a racemate derivative of pyrazinoisoquinoline and is effective against many species of cestodes and trematodes. Praziquantel affects the integumental membrane of the parasite, disrupting the regulatory processes and inducing spastic paralysis of the parasite's musculature.2. After oral administration to the rat, dog and monkey between 75 and 100% of the praziquantel is absorbed. Maximum serum concentrations are reached within 30 minutes to 2 hours in rats, dogs, monkeys and sheep. All species excrete the parent compound and its metabolites rapidly; within 24 hours after administration of radiolabelled compound the radioactivity in the serum was of the same order of magnitude as the detection limit.