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Paracrystalline bundles of large tubules, induced in vitro by Mebendazole in Cysticercus cellulosae

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  06 April 2009

J. P. Laclette
Affiliation:
Departamento de Investigación Clinica, Instituto Nacional de Pediatria, D.I.F. Av. Insurgentes Sur No. 3700, México 22, D.F.
Marie Therese Merchant
Affiliation:
Departamento de Investigación Clinica, Instituto Nacional de Pediatria, D.I.F. Av. Insurgentes Sur No. 3700, México 22, D.F.
Kaethe Willms
Affiliation:
Departamento de Inmunologia, Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas, U.N.A.M. Apartado Postal 70228, México 20, D.F.
L. Cañedo
Affiliation:
Departamento de Investigación Clinica, Instituto Nacional de Pediatria, D.I.F. Av. Insurgentes Sur No. 3700, México 22, D.F. Escuela Nacional de Estudios Profesionales, Cuautitlan, U.N.A.M.

Summary

The effect of the anthelmintic Mebendazole on Cysticercus cellulosae maintained in culture medium was studied by transmission electron microscopy. In addition to the well-known morphological changes induced by Mebendazole in other cestode and nematode larvae, it also induced the cytoplasmic appearance of paracrystalline bundles in the secretory cells of the bladder wall. These bundles were formed by groups of large parallel tubules arranged in a hexagonal-like pattern. The tubules, which had an external diameter of about 50 nm and a length that might exceed 5 μm, were surrounded by a matrix and a distance between neighbouring tubules of 80–120 nm centre to centre was estimated. The tubules were stable to colchicine and low temperature. The temporary appearance of bundles is described and some alternative explanations on their origin are advanced.

Type
Research Article
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1981

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