In vitro and in vivo efficacy of epsiprantel against Echinococcus granulosus

In vitro, epsiprantel at a concentration of 10 micrograms ml-1 caused tegumental damage and death of protoscoleces, juveniles (seven-day-old) and adult (37-day-old) Echinococcus granulosus. Degenerative changes and death occurred more rapidly in the older parasites. Similarly, epsiprantel was more effective against adult (28-day-old) than seven-day-old experimental infections of E granulosus in dogs. Oral doses of 2.5, 5 and 7.5 mg kg-1 were greater than 96 per cent, 99.9 per cent and 99.99 per cent active, respectively, against mature worms, whereas in seven-day-old infections doses of 5, 7.5 and 10 mg kg-1 produced greater than 94 per cent, 90 per cent and 99.8 per cent reduction in worm burdens, respectively. No side effects from treatment were seen.