Paragonimus ohirai: Drug-induced changes in the gastrodermal cells after treatment with praziquantel and bithionol.

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Abstract
The effects of the anthelmintic drugs, praziquantel (PZQ) and bithionol (BT), on the gastrodermis of the lung fluke, Paragonimus ohirai adults were observed in vitro and in vivo. The gastrodermis of the worm treated with PZQ in vitro showed an increase in the number of autophagic vacuoles, most of which enclosed cytoplasmic elements, and multivesicular bodies. In vivo, myelin-like membranous bodies were observed. Autophagic vacuoles appeared as residual bodies near the luminal surface of the cells. Abnormal Golgi complexes with dense cisternae were seen on day 3-7 post-treatment. Rough endoplasmic reticulum was linear, reduced in size and numbers and partly disintegrated. The gastrodermis of the worm treated with BT in vitro showed considerable variety of damage. The tall, columnar cells in the secretory phase were swollen and vacuolated. Short, dense, pyramidal cells in the absorptive phase appeared to be normal. Active phagocytosis was observed at the luminal surface of the gastrodermis after 3 hr of incubation. Autophagic vacuoles and membranous whorls or vesicles were seen in the cells. Cellular breakdown was pronounced after 3 hr of incubation. In vivo, autophagic vacuoles were present near the apex of the cells. Cellular breakdown was conspicuous on day 7 post-treatment. These results suggest that autolytic breakdown of the gastrodermis induced by both drugs probably contributed to the eventual death of the parasite.

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