Azithromycin prophylaxis and treatment of murine toxoplasmosis.

Abstract

OBJECTIVE:

To evaluate the azithromycin effects alone and in combination with other agents in the prophylaxis and treatment of murine toxoplasmosis.

METHODS:

A total of 280 BALB/c mice were included, and 2 x 103 Toxoplasma organisms of the RH strain Toxoplasma gondii strain ATCC50174 were given intraperitoneally to each mouse. In experiment one, 40 animals were given azithromycin 200 milligram/kilogram/daily for 3 days starting the day of inoculation, 40 mice were control. In experiment 2, the treatment was started 48 hours after inoculation and given daily for 3 days: one group received azithromycin 200 milligram/kilogram/day, the second group received pyrimethamine 25 milligram/kilogram/day, and the sulfadiazine 100 milligram/kilogram/day. The third group was control. In experiment 3, 7 groups of animals received one of the following (1) none, (2) azithromycin 200 milligram/kilogram/day, (3) pyrimethamine 25 milligram/kilogram/day and sulfadiazine 100 milligram/kilogram/day, (4) azithromycin and sulfadiazine, (5) azithromycin and pyrimethamine, (6) azithromycin with sulfadiazine and pyrimethamine, (7) sulfadiazine alone. Treatment was initiated 72 hours after inoculation for 3 days. The study was conducted at the Animal Care Facility of King Saud University, Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

RESULTS:

Animals that received azithromycin simultaneously with inoculation survived, and all control animals died. All animals died in groups receiving single drug therapy. Animals treated with azithromycin and sulfadiazine showed a survival rate of 40%, sulfadiazine and pyrimethamine 40%, or azithromycin with sulfadiazine and pyrimethamine 95% (p<0.0001).

CONCLUSION:

Azithromycin alone was found to be effective in the prophylaxis of murine toxoplasmosis. Combination therapy was effective in the treatment of murine toxoplasmosis.

• Authors: Khalid F Tabbara, Ehab Hammouda, Abdulkader Tawfik, Othman M Al-Omar, Ahmed M Abu El-Asrar
• Journal: Saudi medical journal (Saudi Med J) Vol. 26 Issue 3 Pg. 393-7 (Mar 2005) ISSN: 0379-5284 [Print] Saudi Arabia
• PMID: 15806206 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)

Chemical References

• Anti-Bacterial Agents
• Antiprotozoal Agents
• Azithromycin

Topics

• Animals
• Anti-Bacterial Agents (pharmacology)
• Antibiotic Prophylaxis
• Antiprotozoal Agents (pharmacology)
• Azithromycin (pharmacology)
• Drug Therapy, Combination
• Male
• Mice
• Mice, Inbred BALB C
• Toxoplasmosis, Animal (therapy)