In vitro response of Blastocystis hominis to antiprotozoal drugs

J Protozool. 1983 May;30(2):332-4. doi: 10.1111/j.1550-7408.1983.tb02925.x.

Abstract

Ten antiprotozoal drugs were tested in vitro against four axenic strains of the intestinal parasite Blastocystis hominis. Inhibitory drugs in order of effectiveness were emetine, metronidazole, furazolidone, trimethoprim sulfamethoxazole, 5-chloro-8-hydroxy-7-iodo-quinoline (Entero-Vioform), and pentamidine. Moderately inhibitory were two quinolines other than iodochlorhydroxquin. These were chloroquine and 5,7-diiodo-8-hydroxy-quinoline (Floraquin). Diloxanide furoate was not inhibitory. Paromomycin and other antibiotics were not inhibitory. Entero-Vioform and metronidazole have been effective in human and higher primate diarrhea caused by B. hominis.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antiprotozoal Agents / pharmacology*
  • Emetine / pharmacology
  • Eukaryota / drug effects*
  • Furans / pharmacology
  • Furazolidone / pharmacology
  • Metronidazole / pharmacology
  • Paromomycin / pharmacology
  • Pentamidine / pharmacology
  • Quinolines / pharmacology
  • Sulfamethoxazole / pharmacology
  • Trimethoprim / pharmacology

Substances

  • Antiprotozoal Agents
  • Furans
  • Quinolines
  • Metronidazole
  • Furazolidone
  • Paromomycin
  • Pentamidine
  • Trimethoprim
  • Sulfamethoxazole
  • Emetine
  • diloxanide furoate