Echinococcus granulosus: lethal effect of low voltage direct electric current on hydatid cyst protoscoleces.

We have studied a small scale method for killing hydatid cyst protoscoleces using low voltage direct electric current. After collecting hydatid cysts from infected organs of slaughtered animals, protoscoleces were cultured in four different media: hydatid cyst fluid, RPMI, normal saline, and Tris buffer, respectively. Protoscoleces from each of the above media were then transferred to an electrolysis device through which different electric current densities were applied. For measuring the survival rate of protoscoleces, flame cell movement and eosin staining was used. The results show that the survival rate of protoscoleces in hydatid fluid was dependent on the electric current density and the time of the applied current. Current densities of 62.5 mA/cm2 (11 V), 53.71 mA/cm2 (10 V), and 18.18 mA/cm2 (5 V) after 1, 2, and 3 min, respectively, killed all the parasites in the hydatid fluid. However, a current density of 7 mA/cm2 (9 V) in RPMI medium after 3 min was most effective.