Chagas' disease: lymphoma growth in rabbits treated with Benznidazole.
Administration of the trypanocidal drug, Benznidazole (N-benzyl-2-nitro-imidazoleacetamide) to Trypanosoma cruzi-infected rabbits did not arrest the destructive Chagas' heart myocarditis. A typical feature of lymphocytic infiltrates associated with non-parasitized heart cell lysis was present in both treated and untreated groups of rabbits. Benznidazole-treated rabbits had their survival time shortened, probably as a consequence of Chagas' heart disease and of the development of lymphomas. The survival time of untreated T. cruzi-infected rabbits was 765 +/- 639 days and those treated with Benznidazole in the chronic phase of infection survived for 392 +/- 571 days. Malignant, non-Hodgkin's lymphomas were present in 38% of the rabbits that received the nitroarene therapy. Testicular atrophy was observed in 2 out of 10 nitroarene-treated rabbits. Benznidazole administration caused severe cell-mediated immunosuppression in T. cruzi-infected and BCG-immunized rabbits. Specific antibodies against the parasite and an unrelated antigen were detected in high levels, regardless of the nitroarene administration.
Teixeira
A R
AR
University of Brasília, Brazil.
Córdoba
J C
JC
Souto Maior
I
I
Solórzano
E
E
D000818:Animals; D000913:Antibodies, Protozoan / Q000096:biosynthesis; D002598:Chagas Cardiomyopathy / Q000473:pathology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D014355:Chagas Disease / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D006968:Hypersensitivity, Delayed; D007111:Immunity, Cellular / Q000187:drug effects; D007428:Intradermal Tests; D008099:Liver / Q000473:pathology; D008228:Lymphoma, Non-Hodgkin / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D015394:Molecular Structure; D009206:Myocardium / Q000473:pathology; D009593:Nitroimidazoles / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D011817:Rabbits; D014344:Trypanocidal Agents / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D014349:Trypanosoma cruzi / Q000276:immunology
D000913:Antibodies, Protozoan; D009593:Nitroimidazoles; D014344:Trypanocidal Agents; C009999:benzonidazole