Comparative studies of drug susceptibility of five strains of Trypanosoma cruzi in vivo and in vitro.
A comparative study showed that 5 laboratory strains of Trypanosoma cruzi could be divided into a non-responsive group (Sonya clone and Colombiana) and a responsive group (Tulahuén, Y and Peru), based on long-term treatment of mouse infections with nifurtimox and benznidazole. In vitro sensitivity of epimastigotes and blood-stream trypomastigotes in macrophage cultures did not distinguish the strains, nor did the rate of development of nifurtimox resistance by epimastigote cultures. 7 novel anti-T. cruzi compounds also behaved similarly with respect to the 2 groups. A small decrease in sensitivity was observed in vitro by non-responsive strains of T. cruzi after re-isolation from treated mice. It is postulated that there could be an immunological component involved in successful treatment of T. cruzi infection.
Neal
R A
RA
Department of Medical Protozoology, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, St Albans, Hertfordshire, UK.
van Bueren
J
J
D000818:Animals; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004351:Drug Resistance; D008264:Macrophages / Q000469:parasitology; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D009547:Nifurtimox / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D009593:Nitroimidazoles / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D014344:Trypanocidal Agents / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D014349:Trypanosoma cruzi / Q000187:drug effects*; D014352:Trypanosomiasis / Q000188:drug therapy
D009593:Nitroimidazoles; D014344:Trypanocidal Agents; D009547:Nifurtimox; C009999:benzonidazole