Vermox
Efficacy of various chemotherapeutic agents on the growth of Spironucleus vortens, an intestinal parasite of the freshwater angelfish.

Sangmaneedet S, Smith SA.

Department of Biomedical Sciences and Pathobiology, Virginia-Maryland Regional College of Veterinary Medicine, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg 24061, USA.

Seven chemotherapeutic agents (dimetridazole, metronidazole, pyrimethamine, albendazole, fenbendazole, mebendazole and magnesium sulfate) were examined for growth inhibition on the cultivation of Spironucleus vortens. Dimetridazole and metronidazole were effective in inhibiting the parasite's growth. At concentrations of 1 microgram ml-1 or higher, both dramatically decreased numbers of parasites. At 24 h exposure, 33% of parasites were inhibited when exposed to dimetridazole or metronidazole at concentrations of 2 and 4 micrograms ml-1, respectively. Dimetridazole at 4 micrograms ml-1 or higher concentrations decreased the number of organisms to 50% or less after 48 h exposure. During the same period of time, the numbers of parasites decreased to 50% or less when exposed to metronidazole at 6 micrograms ml-1 or higher. Pyrimethamine at concentrations of 1 to 10 micrograms ml-1 was not effective in inhibiting the parasite's growth. Albendazole and fenbendazole at concentrations of 0.1 and 0.5 microgram ml-1 were similar in inhibiting the growth of the organism. Both compounds suppressed parasite growth at concentrations of 1.0 microgram ml-1 or higher after 24 h exposure. Mebendazole inhibited the parasite's growth at concentrations of 0.5 microgram ml-1 or higher. At 72 h exposure, 45 to 50% of the parasites were inhibited when exposed to mebendazole at concentrations higher than 0.5 microgram ml-1. Magnesium sulfate at concentrations of 70 mg ml-1 or higher also suppressed the growth of parasites after 24 h exposure. These results indicate that dimetridazole, metronidazole and mebendazole are the most effective chemotherapeutic agents in vitro at inhibiting the growth of S. vortens.

Online source: www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=10590928&dopt=Abstract mebendazole Vermox



Vermox
The role of mebendazole in the surgical treatment of central nervous system hydatid disease.

Erdincler P, Kaynar MY, Babuna O, Canbaz B.

Instabul University, Cerrahpasa Medical School, Department of Neurosurgery, Turkey.

Although hydatid disease is the most common human disease caused by helminths, cerebral and spinal involvement in hydatid disease is rare. Recurrence is common when cysts rupture during surgical removal. The authors present the results of combined treatment with surgery and mebendazole in four cerebral and five spinal cases of hydatid disease. The patients' ages ranged between 4 and 55 years with a mean of 26 years. In three of the four cranial patients who received mebendazole treatment, the cysts ruptured during surgical removal. Four of the five spinal cases had recurrent disease at the time of admission. Mebendazole was started immediately after surgery and continued over 12 months. All cases but one are stable clinically or radiologically at a mean 27 months follow-up period.

Online source: www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=9155997&dopt=Abstract mebendazole Vermox



Vermox
Residue study of mebendazole and its metabolites hydroxy-mebendazole and amino-mebendazole in eel (Anguilla anguilla) after bath treatment.

Iosifidou EG, Haagsma N, Olling M, Boon JH, Tanck MW.

Department of the Science of Food of Animal Origin, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Utrecht, The Netherlands.

Mebendazole (MBZ) is extensively used in eel culture for treatment of Pseudodactylogyrus spp. infections. This use may lead to residues of MBZ in eel tissues. Consequently, the residue profile of MBZ in eel after treatment with the drug is of special concern. Therefore, a residue study was performed in European eels (Anguilla anguilla), bath-treated with MBZ at a dose of 1 mg/liter for 24 hr and kept at a water temperature of 25 degrees C. Liver, kidney, fat, skin, and muscle tissues samples were collected at intervals during and after treatment and analyzed for MBZ and its metabolites, hydroxy-MBZ (MBZ-OH) and amino-MBZ (MBZ-NH2), by HPLC. Results showed that MBZ is extensively metabolized to MBZ-OH and MBZ-NH2. Liver and kidney were found to contain the highest levels of MBZ metabolites, and fat contained the highest levels of the parent compound. Skin contained higher residue levels for all three compounds, compared with muscle tissue. MBZ and its hydroxy metabolite were eliminated within 5 days from the edible parts (muscle and skin) of the eels, whereas MBZ-NH2 could be detected by the 14th day after the end of the treatment period. Consequently, although MBZ and MBZ-OH constitute the residues of toxicological concern, MBZ-NH2 should be taken as the compound of interest for estimating the withdrawal time for consumption of eel treated with MBZ.

Online source: www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=9172949&dopt=Abstract mebendazole Vermox



Vermox
Treatment of fish parasites. 11. Effects of different benzimidazole derivatives (albendazole, mebendazole, fenbendazole) on Glugea anomala, Moniez, 1887 (Microsporidia): ultrastructural aspects and efficacy studies.

Schmahl G, Benini J.

Lehrstuhl fur Spezielle Zoologie, Ruhr-Universitat Bochum, Germany.

Three different benzimidazole derivatives, albendazole [methyl-5-(propylthio)-2-benzimidazolcarbamate], mebendazole (methyl-5-benzoyl-2-benzimidazolcarbamatic acid methyl ester), and fenbendazole [methyl-5-(phenylthio)-2-benzimidazolcarbamate] were tested in vivo against Glugea anomala parasitizing the connective tissue of sticklebacks (Gasterosteus aculeatus). Naturally infected sticklebacks were incubated in aerated plastic aquaria (10 1) at 22 degrees C in water containing 0, 1, 5, 10, or 50 micrograms of either albendazole, mebendazole or febendazole for 2 or 6 h. For intermittent treatment, 2 micrograms substance was administered three times for 6 h at intervals of 36 h. At the ultrastructural level, at all developmental stages of G. anomala there were no significant differences in the kind of damage caused by either albendazole, mebendazole, or febendazole. Starting with a dose of 1 microgram/ml for 2 h, each of the drugs irreversibly damaged uni- and multinucleate meronts, sporogonial plasmodia, and sporoblasts. Disorganized spores were also observed. Treatment with higher doses (10 micrograms/ml, 2 or 6 h) caused malformations of the merogonic and the sporogonic stages, a significant reduction in the number of ribosomes, and disruptions of the nuclear membranes. The first recognizable treatment effect was an enlargement of the smooth endoplasmic reticulum. In the sporogonial plasmodia, the membranes of the sporophorous vesicle envelopes were lumpy or even completely destroyed. After incubation with the highest dose (50 micrograms/ml, 6 h), microtubules were apparent within the karyoplasm of the uninucleate meronts. After interval treatment, all forms of damage were intensified, especially in the mature spores. When treatment was done three times at low doses (3 x 2 micrograms/ml, 6 h, 36-h intervals), spore infectivity was drastically lowered. Therefore, it seems likely that an intermittent regimen of medicinal baths can be successfully applied against susceptible Microsporidia in fish.

Online source: www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=9491425&dopt=Abstract mebendazole Vermox



Vermox
In vitro activities of benzimidazoles against Echinococcus multilocularis metacestodes.

Jura H, Bader A, Frosch M.

Institut fur Hygiene und Mikrobiologie, Universitat Wurzburg, Germany.

Alveolar echinococcosis, caused by the larval (metacestode) stage of the tapeworm Echinococcus multilocularis, is a lethal parasitosis of the liver prevalent in the Northern Hemisphere. For chemotherapy the benzimidazole derivatives mebendazole and albendazole were introduced, and their use has resulted in a significant improvement in the survival rates. However, data from experiments with animals and clinical observations indicate that these drugs elicit only parasitostatic activity and in most cases are not able to completely eliminate the parasitic metacestode tissue. In the present study, we applied a culture system for the in vitro growth and proliferation of E. multilocularis metacestodes to analyze the parasitostatic and parasitocidal potential of mebendazole. Here, we demonstrate for the first time that at concentrations of >0.1 microM, i.e., at concentrations used for therapy of human alveolar echinococcosis, this antihelminth drug is parasitocidal in vitro. Viability assessment was performed by infection experiments with Meriones unguiculatus and mebendazole-treated metacestode tissue and by reverse transcription-PCR for the detection of E. multilocularis mRNA. The E. multilocularis in vitro model proved to be a valuable tool for the analysis of the potential of antihelminth drugs.

Online source: www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=9593125&dopt=Abstract mebendazole Vermox



Vermox
[Chemotherapy of alveolar echinococcosis with benzimidazoles. A prospective long-term study]

[Article in German]

Reuter S, Kratzer W, Kurz S, Wellinghausen N, Kern P.

Abteilung Innere Medizin III, Universitat Ulm.

BACKGROUND: Mebendazole and albendazole are the drugs of choice for the treatment of alveolar echinococcosis. In this prospective study we present and evaluate the outcome of the long-term treatment with both drugs. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Forty-four patients were treated with either mebendazole or albendazole and they were followed up for an average of 42 months. Success of treatment was defined as non-progression for more than 1 year. RESULTS: The overall success-rate was approximately 80% (35/44). An initial regimen was recurrence-free in 64% of cases under mebendazole and in 73% of cases under albendazole. Half of the cases with recurrent disease could be stabilized after changing the therapeutic regimen. Seven patients received a continuous regimen with albendazole. They were observed over an average of 19 months without signs of progression nor significant side effects. CONCLUSION: This open-labelled prospective study demonstrates the high therapeutic efficacy of both mebendazole and albendazole with similar response rates in the treatment of alveolar echinococcosis. In Germany, serum levels for mebendazole can easily be obtained at numerous institutes, while serum levels for albendazole are rarely available. On the other hand, albendazole reduces costs by over 40%. A simplified mode of intake and a reduced number of side effects argue in favor of the preferred use of albendazole. Albendazole in alveolar echinococcosis is only licensed for intermittent application. Nonetheless, continuous treatment may be considered in inoperable cases or progressive disease.

Online source: www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=9747101&dopt=Abstract mebendazole Vermox