In vitro effect of albendazole and fenbendazole on the histochemical localization of some enzymes of Trichuris globulosa (Nematoda: Trichuridae).

Trichuris globulosa (Nematoda: Trichuridae) incubated in 10 micrograms/ml and 50 micrograms/ml concentrations of albendazole and fenbendazole in Tyrode's solution were stained for histoenzymic demonstration of various phosphatases and oxidoreductases. The intestine, muscles and bacillary band showed major alterations after the drug treatment. The strong reaction of the various mitochondrial enzymes and ATPase suggests a possible respiratory role of the bacillary band in this species. The most noticeable effect of these two drugs especially the higher concentrations on the intestine was the disruption of its epithelium with the release and scattering of the enzymic activity of the various enzymes such as SDH, GDH (only fenbendazole treatment), NADPH-D and NADH-D. The functional significance of these enzymes has been fully discussed.