Azithromycin prophylaxis and treatment of murine toxoplasmosis

To evaluate the azithromycin effects alone and in combination with other agents in the prophylaxis and treatment of murine toxoplasmosis. A total of 280 BALB/c mice were included, and 2 x 103 Toxoplasma organisms of the RH strain Toxoplasma gondii strain ATCC50174 were given intraperitoneally to each mouse. In experiment one, 40 animals were given azithromycin 200 milligram/kilogram/daily for 3 days starting the day of inoculation, 40 mice were control. In experiment 2, the treatment was started 48 hours after inoculation and given daily for 3 days: one group received azithromycin 200 milligram/kilogram/day, the second group received pyrimethamine 25 milligram/kilogram/day, and the sulfadiazine 100 milligram/kilogram/day. The third group was control. In experiment 3, 7 groups of animals received one of the following [1] none, [2] azithromycin 200 milligram/kilogram/day, [3] pyrimethamine 25 milligram/kilogram/day and sulfadiazine 100 milligram/kilogram/day, [4] azithromycin and sulfadiazine, [5] azithromycin and pyrimethamine, [6] azithromycin with sulfadiazine and pyrimethamine, [7] sulfadiazine alone. Treatment was initiated 72 hours after inoculation for 3 days. The study was conducted at the Animal Care Facility of King Saud University, Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Animals that received azithromycin simultaneously with inoculation survived, and all control animals died. All animals died in groups receiving single drug therapy. Animals treated with azithromycin and sulfadiazine showed a survival rate of 40%, sulfadiazine and pyrimethamine 40%, or azithromycin with sulfadiazine and pyrimethamine 95% [p<0.0001]. Azithromycin alone was found to be effective in the prophylaxis of murine toxoplasmosis. Combination therapy was effective in the treatment of murine toxoplasmosis

Polyspectran in the treatment of bacterial conjunctivitis

Polyspectran[R] [Thilo, Munich, Germany] topical eye medication contains polymyxin B, neomycin, and gramicidin. The combination exhibits broad - spectrum antimicrobial activity. All three drugs are too toxic for systemic use. Our objective was to assess Polyspectran's[R] effectiveness in the treatment of bacterial conjunctivitis, as well as patients' acceptance of and tolerance to this combination. Thirty-three patients with a clinical diagnosis of mucopurulent conjunctivitis who were also culture-positive for bacterial conjunctivitis were entered in the study. All received topical Polyspectran[R] eyedrops six times per day, and Polyspectran[R] eye ointment at bedtime. In two patients [6%], treatment had to be discontinued because of an allergic reaction, later found to be due to the neomycin component. The remaining 31 patients completed a one - week course of therapy. Clinical signs and symptoms were reduced by 50% or more within one week of cassation of therapy in 30 [97%] of these; 28 [90%] had a microbiological cure. The study suggests that topical Polyspectran[R] is a safe and effective therapeutic modality for the treatment of bacterial conjunctivitis