EXPERIMENTAL ASSESSMENT OF DRUGS IN THE T REATMENT OF VISCERAL LEISHMANIASIS DUE TO LEISHMANIA-INFANTUM

Tolerance and efficacy of Glucantime(R), aminosidine alone or combined with Glucantime(R), Amphotericin B (AmB) deoxycholate, AmB diluted in Intralipide(R) 20 %, Amphotericin B Lipid Complex (Abelcet(R)), and l iposomal AmB (AmBisome(R)) were compared in a murine model of visceral leishmaniasis induced by L. infantum IV. The murine control group was infected but untreated. Balb/c mice were infected at day 0 with 10(7) promastigotes of L. infantum then received an early treatment from D7 to D17, or a delayed treatment from D60 to D70. At D20, D60 and D120 (after early treatment), and at D72 and D125 (after delayed treatment) , parasite loads were determined in liver and spleen by subculture, us ing a microtitration method. Abelcet(R) and Ambisome(R) proved less to xic and more efficient with a longerlasting anti-parasitic effect than Fungizone(R), AmB diluted in Intralipide(R) 20 %, and aminosidine and Glucantime(R), wheter alone or combined. Theses results assess the re markable efficacy and tolerance of AmB formulations in first line trea tment of visceral leishmaniasis due to L. infantum, and their strong p otential for secondary prophylaxis in immunocompromised patients.