A nitroimidazole-thiadiazole derivative with curative action in experimental Trypanosoma cruzi infections

Abstract

A nitroimidazole-thiadiazole derivative [(2-amino-5-(1-methyl-5-nitro-2-imidazolyl)-1,3,4- thiadiazole)] displays a marked curative effect in mice experimentally infected with Trypanosoma cruzi. When doses of 50 or 100 mg kg⁻¹ were used for 20 consecutive days, parasitological cures (assessed by fresh blood examination, haemoculture, sub-inoculation, re-inoculation and indirect immunofluorescent test) were obtained in 100% of the animals. High curative levels were also observed with a single dose (500 mg kg⁻¹) of this drug. Such cure rates were not observed when similar treatment schedules were used with standard and- T. cruzi drugs such as 5-nitrofuran and 2-nitroimidazoIe derivatives, including those already being used clinically.