Micromotility meter: an instrument designed to evaluate the action of drugs on motility of larval and adult nematodes.

An instrument for measuring the motility of larval and adult nematodes is described along with an analysis of its use as a tool to analyse drug action on these parasites. Motility was detected from larval parasites of Nippostrongylus brasiliensis and Ascaris suum in the absence and presence of various anti-nematodal drugs. These agents produced, within 48 h, a significant decrease in larval parasite motility. The instrument was also capable of detecting the motility of Caenorhabditis elegans, adult female Brugia pahangi and their response to anti-nematodal drugs. The design of the instrument allows us to accurately measure motility in a single sample within 60 sec.