FILARIASIS TESTING IN A JIRD MODEL - NEW DRUG LEADS FROM SOME OLD STANDBYS

A total of 65 compounds, most of which were from chemical classes havi ng members known to be active against one or more parasitic organisms, were evaluated against Brugia pahangi and Acanthocheilonema viteae fo r macrofilaricidal activity in male Mongolian jirds (Meriones unguicul atus). Sixteen of the 65 compounds tested suppressed the number of par asites. Of these 16, three were suppressive for B. pahangi, 10 for A. viteae, and three for both parasites. The antibiotic nigericin and the antihistaminic isothipendyl were found to be most active.