A review of chemotherapeutic approaches to the treatment of cryptosporidiosis.
This review focuses on chemotherapies used against the parasite, Cryptosporidium parvum, the causative agent of cryptosporidiosis. Populations at risk from severe morbidity or mortality from cryptosporidiosis are discussed with particular reference to those infected with HIV. The review then examines chemotherapies used in the clinical setting, as well as a number of in vitro and in vivo experimental studies. It begins with a discussion of the targets within Cryptosporidium that have been the foci of past treatments and then examines novel target sites that may present an exploitable alternative. Some of the novel target sites discussed include the recently discovered apicomplexan plastid and its associated pathways. Lastly, the review examines tubulin as a potential anticryptosporidial target in view of the fact that it has been exploited successfully for almost 50 years for the treatment of helminthiasis. The review concludes with a five-year outlook on the future of anticryptosporidial drug design.
Western Australian Biomedical Research Institute, Division of Health Sciences, Murdoch University, Perth. Western Australia. aarmson@central.murdoch.edu.au.
Anthony
A
Armson
R C Andrew
RC
Thompson
James A
JA
Reynoldson
D000818:Animals; D015317:Biogenic Polyamines / Q000096:biosynthesis; D003049:Coccidiostats / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003457:Cryptosporidiosis / Q000188:drug therapy*; D003458:Cryptosporidium / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D009574:Nitro Compounds; D013844:Thiazoles / Q000627:therapeutic use; D014404:Tubulin / Q000187:drug effects
D015317:Biogenic Polyamines; D003049:Coccidiostats; D009574:Nitro Compounds; D013844:Thiazoles; D014404:Tubulin; C041747:nitazoxanide