Efficacy of azithromycin for treating Babesia microti infection in the hamster model.

Abstract

Because of its prevalence and severity, Babesia microti infection is an important public health problem. The current treatment of choice is clindamycin plus quinine. However, in some cases other treatments are needed because of drug intolerance or relapse. The activity of azithromycin was investigated for treatment of babesiosis in the hamster model. All animals received vancomycin to prevent antibiotic-associated colitis. Quinine (250 mg/kg/day), azithromycin (150 mg/kg/day), and the combination of azithromycin and quinine were compared. A significant suppression of parasitemia was found in all treatment groups (combination had the greatest effect, followed by azithromycin, then quinine; P < .05). The mean survival was significantly prolonged in the combination group (P < .05). Azithromycin as monotherapy in a higher dose (300 mg/kg/day) also resulted in a significant prolongation of survival (P < .05). Spirogermanium and ciprofloxacin, which have been reported to have antimalarial activity, had no effect on parasitemia or survival in this experimental babesiosis model.

• Authors: L M Weiss, M Wittner, S Wasserman, H S Oz, J Retsema, H B Tanowitz
• Journal: The Journal of infectious diseases (J Infect Dis) Vol. 168 Issue 5 Pg. 1289-92 (Nov 1993) ISSN: 0022-1899 [Print] United States
• PMID: 8228366 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)

Chemical References

• Antimalarials
• Organometallic Compounds
• Spiro Compounds
• spirogermanium
• Clindamycin
• Ciprofloxacin
• Azithromycin
• Quinine

Topics

• Animals
• Antimalarials (therapeutic use)
• Azithromycin (therapeutic use)
• Babesiosis (drug therapy)
• Ciprofloxacin (therapeutic use)
• Clindamycin (therapeutic use)
• Cricetinae
• Disease Models, Animal
• Drug Therapy, Combination
• Mesocricetus
• Organometallic Compounds (therapeutic use)
• Quinine (therapeutic use)
• Spiro Compounds (therapeutic use)
• Survival Analysis