Data on the combined effect of atovaquone, mefloquine, and 3-bromopyruvic acid against Echinococcus multilocularis protoscoleces

The dataset presented here is related to a previous research article titled “Mitochondrial Complex III in Larval Stage of Echinococcus multilocularis as a Potential Chemotherapeutic Target and in vivo Efficacy of Atovaquone Against Primary Hydatid Cysts”[1]. In this report, data were collected from aerobic and anaerobic culture assays of E. multilocularis protoscoleces in the presence of three anti-echinococcal drug candidates (atovaquone, mefloquine, and 3-bromopyruvic acid). The data were analyzed for viability of the protoscoleces between day 0 and day 7 upon adding drug candidates. In aerobic condition, all drug candidates caused damage to the protoscoleces, as described previously [1], [2], [3], [4], [5], [6]. Mefloquine, alone as well as in combination with atovaquone, immediately eliminated the protoscoleces, whereas combination of atovaquone with 3-bromopyruvic acid did not show clear synergy. In anaerobic condition, mefloquine, alone as well as in combination with atovaquone, eliminated protoscoleces immediately. 3-Bromopyruvic acid showed stronger efficacy in anaerobic condition than in aerobic condition. Combination of atovaquone with 3-bromopyruvic acid eliminated the protoscoleces, indicating that synergy occurred only under anaerobic condition. The data clarified that combined use of the three drugs eliminated protoscoleces in both aerobic and anaerobic conditions, hence suggesting that these could inhibit aerobic and anaerobic respiration pathways of Echinococcus multilocularis in vivo. The obtained data would be useful for the development of new drug dosing method for alveolar echinococcosis.