The Toxic Effect of Magnetic Field on Protoscoleces of Hydatid Cyst in Vitro

Background: Hydatidosis it is a zoonotic disease which is caused by the larval stages of different species of the tapeworms (Cestoda) of genus Echinococcus. Currently, the surgery is most definitive method of treatment for Hydatid Cyst, but always there is the risk of leakage or rupture during the surgery, therefore it is considered unreliable method. Methods: Protoscoleces of hydatid cysts were placed at the center of 1.5 Tesla magnetic fields in 3 different intervals of 15, 30, and 60 minutes. In each stage, they were exposed to the magnetic field four times and the viability rate of protoscoleces was measured after each exposure period. Results: The results showed a significant difference between viability rates for protoscoleces in case and control groups (P=0.004).In the first stage, when protoscoleces were exposed to the 1.5 Tesla magnetic field for 15 minutes between 1 and 4 times, it did not reveal any significant differences between case and control groups (P=0.793). In the second and third stages, protoscoleces were exposed to the magnetic field for 30 to 60 minutes respectively, it showed significant differences between case and control groups (P<0.05). Conclusion: The findings of this study showed a decrease in the viability rate of protoscoleces exposed to the 1.5 Tesla magnetic fields for 30 and 60 minutes.