Purpose <p>The present study assessed the level of superoxide dismutase (SOD) in the metacestode of <i>Echinococcus granulosus</i> sensu stricto (s. s.) as well as in the liver of Indian water buffalo (<i>Bubalus bubalis</i>).</p> Methods <p>SOD activity was analyzed by the pyrogallol autoxidation assay and electrophoretic fractionation by native polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, followed by specific staining of the enzyme. Besides this, metallic co-factor of SOD was determined using different concentrations of inhibitors.</p> Results <p>The protoscoleces and cyst wall have appreciable amount of SOD, and the level of SOD was found to be significantly (<i>p</i> ≤ 0.001) higher in the fertile compared to non-fertile cyst wall and the infected than non-infected liver. Four SOD activity bands were observed in the protoscoleces, while one band each in the fertile and non-fertile cyst wall, suggesting the occurrence of isozymes in the protoscoleces but not in the cyst wall. Approximately 99% and 16% of enzyme activity were inhibited at 5 mM concentration of KCN and H₂O₂, respectively. Furthermore, no activity band of SOD was detected in the gels treated with 5 mM KCN whereas, the same concentration of H₂O₂ and NaN₃ does not affect the visibility of SOD activity band.</p> Conclusion <p>The present study indicated that the protoscoleces and cyst wall contain a significant amount of SOD, which likely contributes to their survival within the hostile microenvironment of the host. Inhibition studies revealed the presence of Cu/Zn SOD in the protoscoleces, cyst wall, and host liver. The elevated SOD levels in infected liver may be a protective adaptation against self-generated reactive oxygen species (ROS).</p>