Distribution of some elements in hydatid cysts of Echinococcus granulosus from buffalo (Bubalus bubalis)

Distribution of some elements during development of endogenous daughter (hydatid) cysts of Echinococcus granulosus of buffalo origin was determined by atomic absorption spectrophotometry. These analyses showed that the distribution of copper and cobalt was highest in the smallest cysts. These elements gradually decreased in the cysts as they enlarged. The distribution of zinc, iron and manganese was very high in the smallest cysts in comparison to copper and cobalt, but these three elements decreased greatly in larger cysts. Iron and manganese were the only two elements found in very high concentrations in "thin-walled" cysts. Like all other elements both calcium and magnesium decreased as the cysts increased in size. In the thin-walled cysts magnesium increased by four times initially and this was followed by a two-fold "influx" of calcium in the "white-spots" in the above cysts. The significance of these findings is discussed in relation to earlier works.