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Fasciola hepatica: surface and internal tegumental changes induced by treatment in vitro with the sulphoxide metabolite of albendazole (‘Valbazen’)

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  24 April 2003

J. F. BUCHANAN
Affiliation:
Parasite Proteomics and Therapeutics Research Group, School of Biology and Biochemistry, Medical Biology Centre, Queen's University Belfast, 97 Lisburn Road, Belfast BT9 7BL
I. FAIRWEATHER
Affiliation:
Parasite Proteomics and Therapeutics Research Group, School of Biology and Biochemistry, Medical Biology Centre, Queen's University Belfast, 97 Lisburn Road, Belfast BT9 7BL
G. P. BRENNAN
Affiliation:
Parasite Proteomics and Therapeutics Research Group, School of Biology and Biochemistry, Medical Biology Centre, Queen's University Belfast, 97 Lisburn Road, Belfast BT9 7BL
A. TRUDGETT
Affiliation:
Parasite Proteomics and Therapeutics Research Group, School of Biology and Biochemistry, Medical Biology Centre, Queen's University Belfast, 97 Lisburn Road, Belfast BT9 7BL
E. M. HOEY
Affiliation:
Parasite Proteomics and Therapeutics Research Group, School of Biology and Biochemistry, Medical Biology Centre, Queen's University Belfast, 97 Lisburn Road, Belfast BT9 7BL

Abstract

A morphological study has been carried out to determine the effect of the active sulphoxide metabolite of the benzimidazole anthelmintic, albendazole (ABZ-SO) on the adult liver fluke, Fasciola hepatica. Whole flukes were treated with ABZ-SO for 12 and 24 h at a concentration of 10 μg/ml. The changes in response to drug treatment were examined by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and tubulin immunocytochemistry (ICC). No surface changes were apparent following 12 h ABZ-SO treatment, but localized blebbing was observed after 24 h, which became more extensive towards the posterior region of both surfaces. TEM of sections from the posterior midbody region revealed that ABZ-SO caused the accumulation of secretory bodies in the tegumental cells and in their cytoplasmic connections and, after 24 h, just above the basal plasma membrane. Localized blebbing of the apical membrane also occurred. The morphology of the Golgi complexes within the tegumental cells began to change after 12 h treatment with ABZ-SO and, by 24 h, few complexes were observed. A distinct increase in tubulin immunoreactivity occurred after 12 h treatment, but this decreased after 24 h. The results obtained are consistent with those expected for microtubule inhibition. They are discussed in relation to the action of established microtubule inhibitors, as well as the benzimidazole derivative, triclabendazole.

Type
Research Article
Copyright
2003 Cambridge University Press

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