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In Vitro Effect of Nitazoxanide Against Entamoeba histolytica, Giardia intestinalis and Trichomonas vaginalis Trophozoites
Author(s) -
CEDILLORIVERA ROBERTO,
CHÁVEZ BIBIANA,
GONZÁLEZROBLES ARTURO,
TAPIA AMPARO,
YÉPEZMULIA LILIÁN
Publication year - 2002
Publication title -
journal of eukaryotic microbiology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.067
H-Index - 77
eISSN - 1550-7408
pISSN - 1066-5234
DOI - 10.1111/j.1550-7408.2002.tb00523.x
Subject(s) - nitazoxanide , trichomonas vaginalis , entamoeba histolytica , biology , microbiology and biotechnology , giardia , metronidazole , protozoa , giardia lamblia , tritrichomonas foetus , blastocystis , cryptosporidium parvum , albendazole , antiprotozoal , in vitro , antibiotics , biochemistry , feces , immunology , pregnancy , ecology , fetus , genetics
. Nitazoxanide, a 5‐nitrothiazolyl derivative, is effective in the treatment of a broad range of parasitic infections. In vitro, it is active against several protozoa, including Cryptosporidiwn parvum, Blastocystis hominis , and Giardia intestinalis . The objective of this study was to determine the in vitro effect of nitazoxanide on the growth and morphology of three anaerobic protozoa (Entamoeba histolytica, Giardia intestinalis , and Trichomonas vaginalis ) and to compare these effects with those of metronidazole and albendazole. A subculture method was used to determine the concentrations required to inhibit growth by 50% or 90% (IC 50 and IC 90 ). Nitazoxanide exhibited IC 50 and IC 90 values of 0.017 and 0.776 μg/ml respectively, against E. histolytica , 0.004 and 0.067 μg/ml against G. intestinalis , and 0.034 and 2.04 6 μg/ml against T. vaginalis . Based on the IC 90 values, nitazoxanide was more toxic than metronidazole and albendazole against E. histolytica ; albendazole and nitazoxanide were more toxic than metronidazole against G. intestinalis ; and metronidazole was the most toxic drug against T. vaginalis . The effects of nitazoxanide on trophozoite ultrastructure of all three parasites included cell swelling and distorted cell shape, a redistribution of vacuoles, plasma membrane damage, and the formation of extensive empty areas in the cytoplasm of the protozoa.