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Updated: Feb 6, 2026
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Cultivation of Heligmosomoides Polygyrus: An Immunomodulatory Nematode Parasite and its Secreted Products
Published on: April 6, 2015
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DEMONSTRATION OF THE ANTHELMINTIC POTENCY OF MARIMASTAT IN THE HELIGMOSOMOIDES POLYGYRUS RODENT MODEL
Elaine Robertson1, Yvonne Harcus2, Chris J C Johnston3
1* Ashworth Laboratories, Institute of Immunology and Infection, University of Edinburgh, EH9 3FL, U.K.
The Journal of Parasitology
|August 8, 2018
Summary
Marimastat effectively reduced nematode egg laying when given early in infection but failed to impact established infections. This suggests limited potential as an anthelmintic for gastrointestinal nematodes.
Area of Science:
- Veterinary Medicine
- Parasitology
- Drug Discovery
Background:
- Marimastat, an anticancer drug, inhibits nematode cuticle biogenesis.
- It targets a novel, nematode-specific pathway essential for parasite moulting.
- This led to investigating its anthelmintic potential against Heligmosomoides polygyrus.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate marimastat's efficacy against Heligmosomoides polygyrus in a mouse model.
- To determine if early or late administration impacts treatment success.
Main Methods:
- Mice infected with H. polygyrus received daily oral marimastat for 2 weeks or osmotic pump delivery for 4 weeks.
- Control groups received a placebo.
- Faecal egg counts and adult worm burdens were assessed.
Main Results:
- Daily marimastat administration significantly reduced egg laying and slightly reduced adult worm load when given from day of infection.
- The drug showed no significant effect on established infections.
- Marimastat demonstrated limited efficacy in treating gastrointestinal nematode infections.
Conclusions:
- Marimastat is not a promising anthelmintic for established gastrointestinal nematode infections.
- Early intervention may offer some benefit, but overall efficacy is limited.
- Other metalloproteases, like batimastat, might be more effective.
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