Echinococcus granulosus: in vitro effect of monensin on the tegument of the protoscolex

Protoscoleces of Echinococcus granulosus were incubated in a 10 microM solution of monensin and their viability and the ultrastructure of their tegument were monitored over a 36 h period. The earliest effects of the ionophore, apparent within 15 min, involved a degree of cisternal swelling of the tegumentary Golgi complexes. Swelling became more pronounced with time and cytons eventually contained numerous large electron-lucent vesicles. Residual bodies indicative of autophagy were observed in the cytons and distal cytoplasm from 1 h onwards. All movement of protoscoleces ceased after 1 h and the surface of the soma subsequently became folded, possibly suggesting spastic paralysis. Later, vacuoles and large cytoplasmic blebs were observed in the distal cytoplasm and viability dropped rapidly after 12 h. All protoscoleces were dead at 36 h. The potential of monensin as an in vivo protoscolicidal agent is discussed.