Chemotherapy of CNS-trypanosomiasis : the combined use of diminazene aceturate or pentamidine

The chemotherapy of CNS-trypanosomiasis with DL-α-difluoromethylornithine (Eflornithine®, DFM0) with the diamidine, pentamidine (Lomidine®) or diminazene aceturate (Berenil®) was examined using the mouse model for CNS-trypanosomiasis. Although combined DFMO/pentamidine therapy can give complete cures, one or more doses of 100 mg/kg pentamidine was required with continuous administration of DFMO for 14-16 days, and even this treatment failed to cure the mice in a repeat experiment. Diminazene aceturate was more efficient and provided a 40 mg-kg dose was utilised, it was possible to reduce the period of DMO to approximately 12 days