In-vitro susceptibility of Giardia lamblia to albendazole, mebendazole and other chemotherapeutic agents.
The susceptibility of a strain of Giardia lamblia to benzimidazole carbamates, 5-nitroimidazoles, nitrofurans and other drugs was studied in vitro. Albendazole was the most active compound, with a 50% inhibitory concentration (IC50) of 0.01 mg/L and a minimal lethal concentration (MLC) of less than 0.04 mg/L; the IC50 of mebendazole was 0.06 mg/L and the MLC less than 0.5 mg/L. Among the 5-nitroimidazoles tested, ornidazole was the most effective (IC50 0.12 mg/L); tinidazole, metronidazole, secnidazole and hemezole were less active. Nifuroxazide, etofamide and nalidixic acid exhibited modest anti-giardial activity; quinfamide did not inhibit the growth of the parasite at a concentration of 200 mg/L. Albendazole and mebendazole are promising candidates for clinical use and should be further evaluated.
Cedillo-Rivera
R
R
Unidad de Investigación Clinica en Enfermedades Infecciosas y Parasitarias, Hospital de Pediatría, Centro Médico Nacional Siglo XXI, Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social, D.F.
Muñoz
O
O
D015766:Albendazole / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000818:Animals; D000981:Antiprotozoal Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D016829:Giardia lamblia / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000254:growth & development; D008463:Mebendazole / Q000494:pharmacology*; D012044:Regression Analysis
D000981:Antiprotozoal Agents; D008463:Mebendazole; D015766:Albendazole