This paper reviews the progress which has been achieved with combination chemotherapy of experimental murine central nervous system trypanosomiasis. Successful treatments have been achieved with suramin followed by 5-nitroimidazoles; difluoromethylornithine in combination with bleomycin, 9-deazainosine, suramin, arsenicals, antimonials and diamidines; and also the arsenicals in combination with the 5-nitroimidazoles or nifurtimox. Pretreatment with prednisolone and azathioprine, to minimize reactive encephalopathies, and supportive treatment with oxygen are both indicated.

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PubMedDate not supplied

Relative efficacy of melarsen oxide compared with mel Cy (Cymelarsan) when used in combination with difluoromethylornithine in the treatment of trypanosomiasis of the central nervous system.

A comparison was made between the efficacy of mel Cy (Cymelarsan) and melarsen oxide to cure central nervous system trypanosomiasis in a chronic Trypanosoma brucei mouse model. Combination treatment with difluoromethylornithine and arsenical was used and it was found that there was only a marginal advantage in using the water-soluble mel Cy in terms of the numbers of mice cured.

Animals↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Chemotherapy of Trypanosoma brucei infection of the central nervous system: the use of a rapid chemotherapeutic regimen and the development of post-treatment encephalopathies.

The use of a rapid curative chemotherapeutic regimen for experimental infection of the central nervous system (CNS) of mice by Trypanosoma brucei has indicated that this 'aggressive' treatment does not precipitate the development of post-treatment meningo-encephalopathy. If meningoencephalitis is already established at the time of the treatment there is no exacerbation of the reaction and the CNS pathology rapidly returns to normal. Paralysis is not precipitated by the rapid curative treatment of either primary or relapse infections, in contrast to non-curative treatments. Mice showing this overt clinical paralysis in addition to histological meningoencephalitis soon regain mobility and the CNS pathology is rapidly resolved after curative chemotherapy. These experiments provide no support for the concept that the rapid release of trypanosome antigens in situ in the brain exacerbates the post-treatment encephalopathy. They do support the concept that it is viable trypanosomes remaining in the brain which are responsible.

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PubMedDate not supplied

Successful treatment of experimental murine Trypanosoma brucei infection with topical melarsoprol gel.

Melarsoprol gel applied topically (0.1 mL for at least 2 d) can cure late-stage Trypanosoma brucei brucei and T. b. rhodesiense infections in mice. The best regimen was 3 applications at approximately 0, 6, and 24 h. The melarsoprol gel retained its activity at room temperature for at least 63 d. There was only minimal skin irritation and no sign of toxicity.

Administration, Topical↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Suramin treatment of experimental Trypanosoma brucei infection of the central nervous system.

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Animals↗