Abstract

Objective: To investigate the lethal effect of microwave radiation on protoscolices of hydatid cyst. Methods: The protoscolices were divided in two separate groups. The first group received continuous irradiation while the second group received repetitive irradiation. According to the exposure time, the first and the second groups were divided into 8 subgroups. Non-treated protoscolices were considered as the control in each experiment. The protoscolex mortality rate was calculated, and changes in temperature difference in protoscolex suspension before and after the irradiation and the mortality rate with the increase of exposure time were recorded. Results: The results showed that microwave was able to increase the mortality rate of protoscolices in hydatid cyst. The mortality rate from 20% in 20 s of continuous exposure was increased to 100% in 50 s. Also, the differences between the mortality rates in subgroups of the first and the second groups and the control were significant (P < 0.001). Although the effect of temperature change in repetitive irradiation was not significant, non-thermal repetitive irradiation effects were obviously stronger than the thermal continuous irradiation effects. Conclusions: It seems that, microwaves especially in the repetitive mode, may be used as a supplementary measure for both treatment and prevention of hydatidosis.

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