Ultrastructure of the intestinal cells of Aspiculuris tetraptera after in vivo treatment of mice with mebendazole and thiabendazole

Ultrastructural changes in the intestinal cells of female Aspiculuris tetraptera following in vivo treatment with mebendazole or thiabendazole are described. Major changes included a marked reduction in the luminal microbial flora and the appearance of large numbers of autophagic vesicles in the cytoplasm of the intestinal cells. Some mebendazole-treated nematodes were more severely affected, with a complete loss of cellular integrity and a collapse of the intestinal lumen. The possible role of the intestinal cell microtubules in inducing these anthelmintic effects is discussed.