In vitro evaluation of albendazole nanocrystals against Echinococcus granulosus protoscolices.

Echinococcus granulosus is a zoonotic parasite causing hydatidosis in humans and animals. This study has been done in order to investigate the effect of albendazole nanocrystals on the viability of E. granulosus protoscolices. The average size and hydrodynamic diameter of albendazole nanocrystals were 976±218 and 1334±502 nm, respectively. Fertile hydatid cysts were isolated from the liver of slaughtered sheep. The isolated cysts were further identified using morphological and molecular techniques. The nucleotide sequence analysis indicated that the genotype of the protoscolices was E. granulosus sensu stricto with 100% similarity. The parasites were examined precisely for susceptibility to albendazole nanocrystals. The results revealed that albendazole nanocrystals are effective in removing protoscolices. It was observed that 1 μg/ml albendazole nanocrystals and albendazole completely inhibited the viability of the protoscolices within 17 and 23 days, respectively. The results suggested that albendazole nanocrystals can be used as an alternative effective treatment for E. granulosus infection.