In Vivo Therapeutic Effect of Triclabendazole + Levamisole on Hydatid Cyst in Rats

Introduction: Hydatidosis is a global disease and one of the most dangerous zoonotic diseases which is found in areas where humans, dogs, and herbivores are in close contact with each other. Methods: In this study, a total of 64 rats were divided into control and case groups, and then 3000 protoscolices were injected into the peritoneal cavity. After 2 months, rats in the case group were given triclabendazole + levamisole at a dose of 6 mg + 4.41 mg/mL orally for 60 days, respectively. Then, after 6 months of infection, the rats of the control and case groups were killed by anesthesia and then an autopsy was performed and the viscera were carefully examined for hydatid cyst infection. Results: The results showed that in the control group, 3 cysts were observed in the liver, 10 in the kidney, and 88 in the lung. The mean number of hydatid cysts in this group was determined to be 33.6. In the case group, 2 cysts were observed in the liver, 6 in the kidney, and 64 in the lungs. The mean number of hydatid cysts in the viscera was 24 in the case group. Conclusions: Statistical analysis of the results obtained from the case and control groups showed that the therapeutic efficacy of triclabendazole + levamisole was 31%, which is not enough to treat cases of hydatid cyst.