title: Rifapentine is active in vitro and in vivo against Toxoplasma gondii.
abstract: Rifapentine, a derivative of rifamycin, was examined for its in vitro and in vivo activities against the protozoan parasite Toxoplasma gondii. The drug inhibited the intracellular replication of parasites and was not cytotoxic for the host cells at inhibitory concentrations. Mice infected either intraperitoneally with tachyzoites of the RH strain or orally with tissue cysts of the C56 strain were protected against death by treatment with rifapentine. The degree of protection was similar to that induced by atovaquone and apparently higher than that induced by rifabutin. Rifapentine may be a useful drug for the treatment of toxoplasmosis in immunocompromised individuals.
authors.affiliation: Department of Immunology and Infectious Diseases, Palo Alto Medical Foundation, California 94301, USA. ml.fga@forsythe.stanford.edu
authors.forename: F G
authors.initials: FG
authors.lastname: Araujo
authors.forename: A A
authors.initials: AA
authors.lastname: Khan
authors.forename: J S
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Remington
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005260:Female; D051379:Mice; D017828:Rifabutin / Q000627:therapeutic use; D012293:Rifampin / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D014122:Toxoplasma / Q000187:drug effects*; D014124:Toxoplasmosis, Animal / Q000188:drug therapy*
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D017828:Rifabutin; D012293:Rifampin; C018421:rifapentine