Kinetics of killing or growth of Trichomonas vaginalis in the presence of aminoglycosides, neomycin and geneticin (G418).
Few therapeutic drugs, other than metronidazole and close derivatives, are currently available to treat trichomoniasis. Trichomonas vaginalis is known to have a primitive ribosome based on small subunit ribosomal DNA sequence comparisons. Targeting ribosomal subunits, the aminoglycosides neomycin and geneticin (G418, distinct from gentamycin) were tested for activity against T. vaginalis. While neomycin had no effect, G418 was effective in killing cultured T. vaginalis cells at doses intermediate between those previously effective against prokaryotes and eukaryotes. G418 cytotoxicity requires further study before recommending this agent as topically applied therapy in refractory patients.
Riley
D E
DE
Department of Urology, Schools of Medicine and Public Health, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA.
Krieger
J N
JN