In vitro efficacies of solubility-improved mebendazole derivatives against Echinococcus multilocularis

Status and prospect of novel treatment options toward alveolar and cystic echinococcosis

Cystic echinococcosis (CE) and alveolar echinococcosis (AE) are the two most important global parasitic infectious diseases caused by species of Echinococcus granulosus and E. multilocularis, respectively. Although numerous trials have been performed in search of novel therapeutic options to curb the neglected zoonosis, no other nonsurgical options are currently available to replace the licensed anti echinococcal drugs albendazole (ABZ) and mebendazole (MBZ). A safer and more effective treatment plan for echinococcosis is therefore urgently needed to compensate for this therapeutic shortfall. Here, we present a review of the literature for state-of-the-art valuable anti-parasitic compounds and novel strategies that have proved effective against CE and AE, which includes details about the pharmaceutical type, practical approach, experimental plan, model application and protoscolecidal effects in vivo and in vitro. The content includes the current application of traditional clinical chemicals, the preparation of new compounds with various drug loadings, repurposing findings, combined programs, the prospects for Chinese herbal medicines, non-drug administrations and the exploration of target inhibitors based on open-source information for parasitic genes. Next the conventional experimental projects and pharmacodynamic evaluation methods are systematically summarized and evaluated. The demands to optimize the construction of the echinococcosis model and improve the dynamic monitoring method in vivo are also discussed given the shortcomings of in vivo models and monitoring methods.

Contribution to the echinococcosis control programme in China by NIPD-CTDR

As a zoonotic parasitosis caused by the parasitism of Echinococcus larvae, echinococcosis imposes serious disease and economic burdens on human beings and society, and is thus a global public health issue. Its complex life history, wide distribution, the combined influence of various epidemic factors, coupled with the unique natural environment, customs, and religious beliefs in endemic areas, pose a huge challenge to the national echinococcosis control programme in China. Accurate early detection and confirmation of diagnosis of echinococcosis, the use of effective drugs, real-time surveillance of the infection status of populations and various hosts, controlling the source of infection, and blocking the route of transmission are of enormous significance for control. In this paper, the work by NIPD-CTDR on the prevention and control of echinococcosis in China is reviewed, with a view to providing reference for the further promotion of the national echinococcosis control programme.