The larvicidal activity of cyclosporin A against Schistosoma mansoni in mice

Parasitology. 1991 Feb:102 Pt 1:57-63. doi: 10.1017/s0031182000060340.

Abstract

Treatment of BALB/c or MF1 mice with cyclosporin A (CsA) around the time of infection with Schistosoma mansoni conferred almost complete protection. The migration kinetics of L-[75Se]selenomethionine-labelled infective cercariae were investigated by compressed tissue autoradiography. Similar levels of skin penetration were achieved by cercariae in control and drug-treated individuals. CsA arrested 87-94% of the worms in the skin and ultimately all of these died in this site. Few worms (7-14%) migrated from the skin to the lungs and none completed migration to the liver. Nevertheless, the autoradiograms revealed a limited degree of lateral cutaneous migration by the worms present in the skins of CsA-treated mice. Results of perfusion recovery experiments carried out during the course of infection reinforced the tracking data.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Autoradiography
  • Cyclosporins / pharmacology*
  • Cyclosporins / therapeutic use
  • Female
  • Host-Parasite Interactions
  • Larva / drug effects
  • Liver / parasitology
  • Lung / parasitology
  • Male
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred BALB C
  • Schistosoma mansoni / drug effects*
  • Schistosomiasis mansoni / drug therapy
  • Schistosomiasis mansoni / parasitology*
  • Skin / parasitology
  • Time Factors

Substances

  • Cyclosporins