The macrocyclic lactones (MLs) are one of the few classes of drug used in the control of the human filarial infections, onchocerciasis and lymphatic filariasis, and the only one used to prevent heartworm disease in dogs and cats. Despite their importance in preventing filarial diseases, the way in which the MLs work against these parasites is unclear. In vitro measurements of nematode motility have revealed a large discrepancy between the maximum plasma concentrations achieved after drug administration and the amounts required to paralyze worms. Recent evidence has shed new light on the likely functions of the ML target, glutamate-gated chloride channels, in filarial nematodes and supports the hypothesis that the rapid clearance of microfilariae that follows treatment involves the host immune system.

中文翻译：

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大环内酯如何杀死丝状线虫幼虫？

大环内酯（MLs）是用于控制人的丝虫感染，盘尾丝虫病和淋巴丝虫病的少数药物之一，并且是唯一一种可预防犬猫心丝虫病的药物。尽管在预防丝虫病方面很重要，但ML对抗这些寄生虫的方式尚不清楚。线虫运动性的体外测量显示，给药后达到的最大血浆浓度与使蠕虫麻痹所需的量之间存在很大差异。最近的证据为丝虫线虫中ML靶标，谷氨酸盐酸盐氯化物通道的可能功能提供了新的线索，并支持了以下假说：治疗后微丝aria的快速清除涉及宿主免疫系统。