Evaluation of selected antiprotozoal drugs in the Babesia microti-hamster model.

Abstract

The presently used therapy for Babesia microti infections, a combination of quinine and clindamycin, does not always result in parasitologic cures. To identify possible alternative chemotherapeutic agents for such infections, we screened, in the hamster-B. microti system, 12 antiprotozoal drugs that have either recently been released for human use or were in experimental stages of development at the Walter Reed Army Institute of Research for the treatment of malaria and leishmaniasis. Several well-recognized antimalarial drugs, such as mefloquine, halofantrine, artesunate, and artelenic acid, exhibited little or no effect on parasitemia. Two 8-aminoquinolines, WR006026 [8-(6-diethylaminohexylamino)-6-methoxy-4-methylquinoline dihydrochloride] and WR238605 [8-[(4-amino-1-methylbutyl)amino]-2,6-dimethoxy-4-methyl-5 -(3-trifluoromethylphenoxy-7) quinoline succinate], produced clearance of patent parasitemia. Furthermore, blood from infected hamsters treated with WR238605 via an intramuscular injection failed to infect naive hamsters on subpassage, thus producing a parasitologic cure. These two compounds merit further screening in other systems and may prove useful in treating human babesiosis.

• Authors: S E Marley, M L Eberhard, F J Steurer, W L Ellis, P B McGreevy, T K Ruebush 2nd
• Journal: Antimicrobial agents and chemotherapy (Antimicrob Agents Chemother) Vol. 41 Issue 1 Pg. 91-4 (Jan 1997) ISSN: 0066-4804 [Print] United States
• PMID: 8980761 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.)

Chemical References

• Aminoquinolines
• Antiprotozoal Agents
• Pyrroles
• Quinazolines
• WR 228275
• tafenoquine
• 8-aminoquinoline

Topics

• Aminoquinolines (therapeutic use)
• Animals
• Antiprotozoal Agents (therapeutic use)
• Babesiosis (drug therapy, parasitology)
• Cricetinae
• Drug Evaluation, Preclinical
• Mesocricetus
• Pyrroles (pharmacology)
• Quinazolines (pharmacology)