RESUMO
To delermine the anti-leishmanial activity of sodium stibogluconate, rifampicin and metronidazole in vivo. Design: Six to eight days chick embryo for in vivo anti leishmania activity. Settings: Department of Microbiology, BMSI, JPMC and Dr. Ehsanullah's Laboratory Karachi. Subjects: Locally isolated strain of Leishmania tropica. Main outcome measures: Inhibition of growth by the drugs used in the study. Sodium stibogluconate, rifampicin and metronidazole were used in different concentrations. There was complete inhibition of organisms observed with 100ug/gm for three days of sodium stibogluconate and of metronidazole. No toxic effects on chick embryos were observed. Chick embryo proved successful model for in vivo growth of leishmania tropica by yolk sac route. Base line sensitivity was determined. It was found that activity of metronidazole was comparable to sodium stibogluconate. Organisms were inhibited by administration of either drug in 100ug/mg for three days in yolk sac. Metronidazole may be used in the trial study for the treatment of Cutaneous leishmaiasis