Albendazole is effective against established Echinococcus granulosus in gerbils: comparison of serum concentrations achieved by gavage and feed administration

Serum levels of albendazole sulphoxide in gerbils infected with Echinococcus granulosus and treated with albendazole (20 or 50 mg kg−1 day−1) by gavage were dose dependent, whereas albendazole administered in feed at a rate equivalent to 80 mg kg−1 day−1 achieved serum levels calculated to be equivalent to those produced by administration of 40 mg kg−1 day−1 by gavage. This regimen, over a three-month period, was effective and reduced parasite weight to 4·6% of that in control gerbils, and the treated parasite tissue showed ultrastructural changes ranging from severe accumulation of residual bodies to total disintegration of the germinal layer.