Cyclosporin A in experimental trichinosis scanning electron microscopic study.

The surface morphology of adult and larvae of Trichinella spiralis after cyclosporin A treatment was studied by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) of fixed, dried and metal coated specimens. The earliest topographic changes revealed in adults after the drug treatment were in form of disorganization of the cuticle especially between the hypodermal pores which appeared somewhat thickened and irregular. Other changes were in form of bullae formation covering the whole width of the adult surface. Other specimens showed wrinkling of the outer layer that was seen later to peel off. In few worms layer outer was damaged releasing some of the internal organs. Smoothing of the cuticle with obliteration of the grooves between the cuticular ridges were observed as the earliest surface larval changes, ulcer formation which was deeply seated was seen in patchy areas in some specimens. The interaction between the parasite surface and the drug is of significant importance as this can throw light on the possibilities of its mode of action.