Advances on metabolism and disposition of benzimidazoles anthelmintic in Fasciola hepatica: Its contribution to the phenomenon of anthelmintic resistance

Abstract

The fascioliasis is an important zoonotic disease, particularly in underdeveloped countries. In fascioliasis, the anthelmintic control has been done mainly by the use of triclabendazole (TCBZ), which is metabolized into the anti-helmintic metabolite, sulphoxide in the host liver and targeted to the subcellular fractions of the parasite, Fasciola hepatica (Liver Fluke). The existence of genetically different populations of liver fluke could allow, against any selection pressure, natural or artificial (for use fasciolicides products and/or control measures), one or more populations of F. hepatica to be able to survive and create resistance or adaptability to such selective pressure. It is known that the uptake and effects of TCBZ and the sulfoxide metabolite is significantly greater in TCBZ-susceptible isolates in comparison to the TCBZ-resistant flukes. This result are analyzed in the present contribution.