Scorpion crude venom induced apoptosis and structural changes of Echinococcus granulosus protoscolices

Abstract

Echinococcus granulosus parasitic infection in humans causes hydatidosis (also known as echinococcosis), which is a severe zoonotic illness that puts public health at risk.This research was designed to assess the status of morphological, ultrastructure, and cell apoptosis of E. granulosus protoscolices. For this purpose, the protoscolices were isolated and collected from the hydatid cysts in the lungs and livers of camels, then incubated for 4 h in Androctonus crassicauda crude venom (ACCV) (at the concentrations of 50 and 100 µg/ml). The changes of E. granulosus protoscolices were monitored using light, transmission, and scanning electron microscopy, and the caspase-3 expression was detected by immunohistochemistry. The current study results have demonstrated the caspase-3 expression was substantially higher in the protoscolices incubated at 100 µg/ml than 50 µg/ml. Also, ACCV caused distinct changes in the morphology and ultrastructure of protoscolices detected by light, TEM, and SEM microscopy. In conclusion, Androctonus crassicauda crude venom (ACCV) may provide an alternative and nonsurgical treatment for hydatidosis. Hence, further studies are recommended to explore the impact of ACCV on inducing apoptosis and structural changes for this parasitic disease.