Histological sections of ABZ-treated and untreated metacestode tissue.

<p>(A) ABZ-CS-MP treatment: Note the high number of germinal layer cells dissolved and the partial dissolution of the laminated layer. (B) L-ABZ treatment: Note the thin, swollen structure of the laminated layer. (C) ABZ-T treatment: Note the irregularly thin laminated layer and the partially detached germinal layer cells. (D) Untreated infection control tissue: Note the intact, regular structure of the laminated and germinal layers. GL: germinal layer; LL: laminated layer; IC: inflammatory cell; FT: fibrous tissue; CT: calcified tissue; (200×).</p

Serum concentration profiles (mean ± SD) for IL-2 and IL-10 cytokines in weeks 18 and 22 from <i>E</i>. <i>multilocularis</i>-infected mice treated with ABZ-CS-MPs or ABZ-T (75 mg/kg) and control, infection control groups.

<p>Serum concentration profiles (mean ± SD) for IL-2 and IL-10 cytokines in weeks 18 and 22 from <i>E</i>. <i>multilocularis</i>-infected mice treated with ABZ-CS-MPs or ABZ-T (75 mg/kg) and control, infection control groups.</p

Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) analysis of drug efficacy in mice infected with <i>E</i>. <i>multilocularis</i> metacestodes and treated with ABZ-CS-MPs, L-ABZ, or ABZ-T.

<p>(A) Untreated infection control: Microtriches (white arrows) appeared intact and were densely arranged with clear structure of laminated layer (LL). A large number of microtriches protrude well into the laminated layer. Cortical cell (Cor) was present (black arrow). (B) and (C) ABZ-CS-MPs and L-ABZ treatment: Note the complete absence of microtriches at the tegumental-laminated layer interface (white arrows). Metacestode tissue appeared severely damaged, with regression of the germinal layer. Structural integrity of the germinal layer was destroyed. Laminated layer sheets were lacking, with vacuolization (vac) of the tissue in germinal layer. (D) ABZ-T treatment: Tegument of laminated layer lessened. A: (5000×, bar = 5 μm); B: (8000×, bar = 2 μm); C: (8000×, bar = 2 μm); D: (8000×, bar = 2 μm).</p

Albendazole chitosan microspheres (ABZ-CS-MPs).

<p>ABZ-CS was successfully entrapped by MPs (black arrows) (A: 40×, bar = 500 μm), (B: 100×, bar = 200 μm), (C: 200×, bar = 100 μm), (D: 400×, bar = 50 μm).</p

Plasma concentration profiles of albendazole sulphoxide (ABZ-SO) in mice treated orally with ABZ-CS-MPs, L-ABZ, and ABZ-T, at doses of 37.5, 75, and 150 mg/kg.

<p>Plasma concentration profiles of albendazole sulphoxide (ABZ-SO) in mice treated orally with ABZ-CS-MPs, L-ABZ, and ABZ-T, at doses of 37.5, 75, and 150 mg/kg.</p

Hepatic lesions of mice infected with <i>Echinococcus multilocularis</i>.

<p>(A) ABZ-CS-MPs treated group: Note the highly suppressed vesicular development and yellow discoloration. Metacestodes were obviously calcified. (B) L-ABZ treated group: Note the degeneration of the metacestode biomass on the liver and cloudy white discoloration. (C) ABZ-T treated group: Note the large metacestode biomass. (D) Infection control group: Note the striped translucent vesicles and large metacestode mass almost occupying the entire liver. All infected livers shown were chosen from the 75 mg/kg subgroups.</p