3,5-dibromo-2'-chloro-4'-isothiocyanato salicylanilide in the control of Hymenolepis nana in rats--a pilot study.

The efficiency of a new anticestode compound, 3,5-dibromo-2'-chloro-4'-isothiocyanato salicylanilide (GUPTA et al. 1980) for mass eradication of hymenolepiasis from rat colonies was assessed in a pilot study. The drug was administered with milk or food. For effective eradication, depending on the size of animals, single or multiple doses of 100 to 500 mg of the drug/kg body-weight, mixed in milk, or 50 mg/kg in feed were necessary. Better results were obtained when the compound was given in feed as it ensured effective consumption irrespective of the seasonal variations. The efficacy of the compound was also assessed on cysticercoids in intermediate hosts (Tribolium confusum) by feeding them on flour medicated at 5%, 1% and 0.1% levels. None of the concentrations killed the larvae or arrested their development.