RESUMO
AIM: To observe the therapeutic effect of triclabendazole in rats infected with Pagumogonimus skrjabini. METHODS: Metacercariae of P. skrjabini were isolated from crabs (Sinopotamon) collected from two endemic areas (Weiyuan County of Sichuan Province and Wansheng District of Chongqing Municipality). Wistar rats were each infected intraperitoneally with metacercariae. One month and two months after infection, the infected rats were treated with triclabendazole at the total dosage of 300 mg/kg over 2 days, 450 mg/kg over 3 days and 600 mg/kg over 3 days, respectively. RESULTS: The worm reduction rates were 50%, 80% and 87% respectively one month after completion of tretment. Dead worms (about 1 mm size) recovered from the muscles, liver, abdominal cavity, chest cavity and lungs were signicantly diminished in size and weight in comparison with those of the control group. Many large (about 1 cm) black-colored distended worm cysts usually with two adult worms and many eggs were found in the lungs of the control rats. Most worm cysts in the treated groups of rats were found to be atrophied, changing into hemorrhagic-necrotic patches. CONCLUSION: Triclabendazole is highly active against P. skrjabini in rats.