Hydatid cyst viability: the effect of scolicidal agents on the scolex in the daughter cyst

Authors: MUSTAFA KARAOĞLANOĞLU, ÖMER FARUK AKINCI, MUSTAFA ULUKANLIGİL, MELİKE RUŞEN METİN, HÜSEYİN ÇETİN, NURDAN ÇAY

Abstract: To perform an in vitro study of the effects of various scolicidal agents on scolices in both crystal-clear fluid and daughter cysts. Materials and methods: A 2-staged procedure, using 15% NaCl, 3% NaCl, Betadine, 1% NaOCl, and alcohol, was performed on the cysts. Into bottles containing 10 cysts, 20 mL of each agent, including crystal-clear fluid, was added. A single daughter cyst was then taken from the bottles after 5, 10, 15, 20, 40, 60, and 120 min and the injected samples were examined microscopically for viability using activity and eosin staining. In the second stage of the study, the direct effects of the scolicidal agents on the scolices were investigated at 1, 5, 10, 15, 20, 40, and 60 min. Results: The scolices became inactive and were stained after 1 and 2 min in 15% NaCl and povidone iodine, respectively. The scolices stained completely after 20 min with 3% NaCl, while 1% NaOCl affected the scolices at 5 min. On the other hand, alcohol affected them at 65 min. Scolices in the control group remained viable for 36 h. In the second stage, scolices in the control group were inactivated at 30 min. Complete staining was observed at 5 min with 15% NaCl and at 20 min with 3% NaCl, as in Betadine solution. It was found that 1% NaOCl immediately inactivated the scolices. Lastly, with alcohol, scolices were stained completely at 8 min. Conclusion: It was seen that 1% NaOCl, 15% hypertonic saline, and povidone iodine solutions were effective scolicidal agents against the scolices, both in the crystal-clear fluid and the daughter cysts. On the other hand, 3% hypertonic saline was not effective enough as a scolicidal agent. Alcohol was ineffective, especially on the scolices in the daughter cysts.

Keywords: Hydatid cyst, viability, protoscolicidal agents

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