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Host-Parasite Relationships in Echinococcosis

IX. In Vitro Survival of Hydatid Scolices and the Effects of Drugs upon Scolex Respiration^*

Calvin W. Schwabe, Laura Hadidian AND Mtanios Koussa

Hydatid scolices were incubated axenically in a non-nutrient salt solution (Krebs-Ringer's) at different temperatures, oxygen tensions and osmotic concentrations. Their survival time, rate of evagination and rate of vesicularization were noted. Survival time varied inversely as temperature (5–37°C) and was favored by aerobic and isosmotic conditions. Rates of evagination and vesicularization were not appreciably altered by changes in the tonicity of the medium (even at solution concentrations of from .25x to 2x isosmotic). Absence of single salts from Krebs-Ringer's solution, in particular MgSO₄ and KH₂PO₄, decreased survival time. Maximum survival time in Krebs-Ringer's solution was 56 days at 5–9°C, and 44 days at 30°C. In diluted hydatid cyst fluid and diluted sheep serum, scolices survived at 30°C for 64 and 68 days, respectively.

The respiratory rate of scolices was higher too in serum and in hydatid cyst fluid than in either Krebs-Ringer's solution or phosphate buffer. Gentian violet (0.001M), tartar emetic (0.01M and emetine HCl (0.01M) markedly inhibited scolex respiration in vitro. Acriflavine (0.01M) inhibited respiration to a lesser degree. Physostigmine first depressed then stimulated respiration. Stibophen, diethylcarbamazine, tetracycline, oxytetracycline, and atropine sulphate had no effect.

^* Supported by grants from the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, U.S. Public Health Service (E-2205), Pfizer International and the World Health Organization.

Present address: Department of Biochemistry, American University of Beirut.