Antiprotozoal

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Antiprotozoal therapies

Topic Outline

SUMMARY
INTRODUCTION
ALBENDAZOLE
ATOVAQUONE
BENZNIDAZOLE
EFLORNITHINE
FUMAGILLI
NFURAZOLIDONE
IODOQUINOL
MELARSOPROL
METRONIDAZOLE
NIFURTIMOX
NITAZOXANIDE
PAROMOMYCIN
PENTAMIDINE
PYRIMETHAMINE
QUINACRINE
SPIRAMYCIN
SODIUM STIBOGLUCONATE
SURAMIN
TETRACYCLINE
TINIDAZOLE
TRIMETHOPRIM-SULFAMETHOXAZOLESUMMARYREFERENCES

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Author:Peter F Weller, MD, FACPSection Editor:Karin Leder, MBBS, FRACP, PhD, MPH, DTMHDeputy Editor:Elinor L Baron, MD, DTMH

INTRODUCTION

Protozoan parasites belong to four distinct groups: the amebae, the flagellates, the ciliates, and the sporozoa. Protozoa are single-celled organisms that replicate by various mechanisms within the infected host. The mechanisms of action of the various agents used to treat protozoan parasites are relatively poorly understood [1].

In the United States, the antiprotozoal drugs eflornithine, benznidazole, melarsoprol, nifurtimox, sodium stibogluconate, and suramin are available through the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Drug Service, Atlanta, GA 30333 (telephone 404-639-3670; drugservice@cdc.gov).

Agents with activity against protozoal parasites will be reviewed here; their use for treatment of specific protozoal infections is discussed in detail separately. Antimalarial agents are discussed in detail separately, as are agents with activity against helminths. (See "Antimalarial drugs: An overview" and "Anthelminthic therapies".)

ALBENDAZOLE

Albendazole binds to tubulin and affects cytoskeletal microtubules and is a well-established therapy treatment of helminthic infections [2]. (See "Anthelminthic therapies".)

Albendazole also has activity against some protozoan infections, including most microsporidial species, particularlyEncephalitozoon infections. However, it is not as active against Enterocytozoon bieneusi [3-10]. (See "Microsporidiosis".)

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Literature review current through: Sep 2016. | This topic last updated: Jun 09, 2015.

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REFERENCES

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