Albendazole is effective against established Echinococcus granulosus in gerbils: comparison of serum concentrations achieved by gavage and feed administration

Abstract

Serum levels of albendazole sulphoxide in gerbils infected with Echinococcus granulosus and treated with albendazole (20 or 50 mg kg⁻¹ day⁻¹) by gavage were dose dependent, whereas albendazole administered in feed at a rate equivalent to 80 mg kg⁻¹ day⁻¹ achieved serum levels calculated to be equivalent to those produced by administration of 40 mg kg⁻¹ day⁻¹ by gavage. This regimen, over a three-month period, was effective and reduced parasite weight to 4·6% of that in control gerbils, and the treated parasite tissue showed ultrastructural changes ranging from severe accumulation of residual bodies to total disintegration of the germinal layer.