The combination of Cytokines and albendazole therapy for prophylaxis and treatment of experimental/hydatid cyst

•Hydatid cyst is a major health problem in many countries.•There are various manner for treatment and prophylaxis of hydatid cyst.•Cytokines such as IL12 and TNF-Alfa in combination with albendazole can promote treatment and prophylaxis effects.•Cytokines can enhance immune responses against secondary hydatid cyst and are effective for preventing the relapse of the disease after surgery. Albendazole is appropriate chemotherapy for treatment and prophylaxis of cystic echinococcosis (CE). The recent studies show Cytokine therapy could be useful for chronic and progressive diseases, therefore, the use of cytokine in prophylaxis and treatment of hydatidosis could be considerable. The aim of this study is to evaluate the efficacy of interleukin-12 + interferon-gamma, in combination with albendazole for prophylaxis and treatment of CE in Balb/c mice. Albendazole and cytokines were administrated for prophylaxis and treatment in CE. The efficacy of this agents were determined by measuring of size, weight, number of cysts, histology and lymphocyte response. Lymphocyte stimulation index and production of interleukin-12 and interferon-gamma were measured by MTT assay and ELISA respectively. Combination of albendazole and cytokines was very effective for prophylaxis and treatment in experimental CE.