Scolicidal activity of taurolidine for the treatment of hydatid disease

In this experimental study, we have evaluated in vivo and in vitro activities of taurolidine (TRD) against protoscolices of Echinococcus granulosus.

Scolicidal agent application is mandatory for the interventional treatment of hydatid cysts. Serious adverse effects of current scolicidal agents forced the scientist to search for less toxic chemicals.

One milliliter of protoscolices suspension was administered into twelve Petri's dishes, six of them containing 5 ml of isotonic saline, and six of them containing 5 ml (5 mg/ml) TRD. Forty, male Balb/c mice were divided into five equal groups. Group 1: protoscolices inoculated group; Group 2: protoscolices inoculated and thereafter immediately administered with a single dose intravenous (IV) 0.5 ml TRD (400 mg/kg); Group 3: protoscolices inoculated and thereafter immediately administered with a single dose intraperitoneal (IP) 0.5 ml TRD (400 mg/kg); Group 4: three months after inoculating the protoscolices, one day before the sacrifice single dose IV 0.5 ml TRD (400 mg/kg) administered; Group 5: three months after inoculating the protoscolices, one day before the sacrifice single dose IP 0.5 ml TRD (400 mg/kg) administered.

All the protoscolices were dead in TRD-added Petri's Dishes in 90 minutes. In group 2 and group 3, no mouse had an intraabdominal hydatid cyst.

The results of this study are encouraging us to suggest TRD as an alternative scolicidal agent. Further clinical studies are needed to define the effectiveness and the mode of application of TRD for the treatment of hydatid disease (Tab. 1, Fig. 4, Ref. 30).