Use of albendazole sulfoxide, albendazole sulfone, and combined solutions as scolicidal agents on hydatid cysts (in vitro study)

AIM: To establish which scolicidal agents are superiorand more suitable for regular use.METHODS: Echinococcus granulosus protoscoleceswere obtained from 25 patients with liver hydatidcysts. Various concentrations of albendazole sulfone,albendazole sulfoxide, and albendazole sulfone andalbendazole sulfoxide mixed together in concentrationsof 50 μg/mL, and H2O2 in a concentration of 4%, NaCl20%, and 1.5% cetrimide-0.15% chlorhexidine (10%Savlon-Turkey) were used to determine the scolicidaleffects. Albendazole (ABZ) derivatives and otherscolicidal agents were applied to a minimum of 100scoleces for 5 and 10 min. The degree of viability wascalculated according to the number of living scolicesper fi eld from a total of 100 scolices observed underthe microscope.RESULTS: After 5 min, ABZ sulfone was 97.3%effective, ABZ sulfoxide was 98.4% effective, and thecombined solution was 98.6% effective. When sulfone,sulfoxide and the combined solutions were compared,the combined solution seemed more effective thansulfone. However, there was no difference when thecombined solution was compared with sulfoxide. After10 min, hypertonic salt water, sulfone, sulfoxide, andthe combined solution compared to other solutionslooked more effective and this was statisticallysignificant on an advanced level. When sulfone,sulfoxide, and the combined solutions were compared with each other, the combined solution appeared more effective than sulfone. When the combined solution was compared with sulfoxide, there was no difference.CONCLUSION: Despite being active, ABZ metabolites did not provide a marked advantage over 20% hypertonic saline. According to these results, we think creating a newly improved and more active preparation is necessary for hydatid cyst treatment.