Effect of isometamidium on Trypanosoma congolense infectivity.

Abstract

Isometamidium chloride (Samorin, RMB, England) is a widely used and highly effective trypanocide for the treatment of bovine trypanosomiases. However, the appearance of isometamidium-resistant populations of T. congolense in Africa makes it necessary to develop methods for the rapid and reliable detection of drug resistance in the laboratory. Currently available tests are time-consuming and/or expensive. In the present study, the short-term in vitro incubation of trypanosomes in a range of isometamidium concentrations and the infectivity of the parasites in mice has been assessed. A series of T. congolense isolates were used which were known to differ in their in vivo sensitivity to the drug. The results showed a close correlation between the known level of resistance and the capability of trypanosomes to remain infective after incubation in isometamidium. Thus isolates displaying a high level of resistance in vivo remained infective following incubation in higher concentrations of drug. This assay may provide a simple and reliable method for detecting drug resistance in T. congolense.

• Authors: I A Sutherland, A Mounsey, P H Holmes
• Journal: Veterinary parasitology (Vet Parasitol) Vol. 39 Issue 1-2 Pg. 13-7 (Jul 1991) ISSN: 0304-4017 [Print] Netherlands
• PMID: 1897115 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)

Chemical References

• Phenanthridines
• Trypanocidal Agents
• isometamidium chloride

Topics

• Animals
• Cattle
• Female
• Mice
• Phenanthridines (pharmacology)
• Trypanocidal Agents (pharmacology)
• Trypanosoma congolense (drug effects, pathogenicity)
• Trypanosomiasis, African (parasitology, veterinary)
• Trypanosomiasis, Bovine (parasitology)