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Hydatidosis is a widely endemic helminthic disease vectored in human by the larval stage of the metacestode Echinococcus granulosus. It is characterized by the long-term coexistence of chronic infection with detectable humoral and cellular responses against the macroparasite. Previous studies demonstrated interferon-γ (IFN-γ) and nitric oxide (NO) production (in vivo and in vitro) during hydatidosis. In this study, we tested the hypothesis that NO production after IFN-γ induction may constitute a host defense against E. granulosus. We also investigated the IFN-γ effect on protoscolices (larval form of the parasite) viability in coculture with hydatid patients' peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC). PBMCs from hydatic patients incubated with IFN-γ (100 U/mL) alone are effective in the killing of protoscolices. This scolicidal activity is concomitant with elevation of nitrite levels. NO release and cytotoxic activity are …