In vivo efficacy of mebendazole in containment of larval cyst mass in early stages of hydatid disease due to Echinococcus granulosus

The role of mebendazole in treatment of hydatid disease was investigated in a mouse model of human Echinococcus granulosus infection. Each animal received 2000 protoscoleces by intraperitoneal injection. Mebendazole, 50 mg/kg or 200 mg/kg body weight daily for 21 d, was given to 3 groups of animals 2, 4 and 6 months after infection. Significant decreases in numbers of cysts were seen in groups given the drug 2 and 4 months after infection, compared to the group given drug 6 months after infection. 200 mg/kg body weight was more effective in decreasing cyst numbers than 50 mg/kg