ARS | Publication request: EFFICACY OF A SPERMINE ANALOGUE IN THE TREATMENT AND PREVENTION OF CRYPTOSPORIDIUM PARVUM INFECTION OF TCR-ALPHA-DEFICIEINT MICE

Submitted to: Research Workers in Animal Diseases Conference Proceedings
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: November 9, 1998
Publication Date: N/A

Technical Abstract: Experimental challenge of TCR-alpha-deficient mice with the protozoan parasite, Cryptosporidium parvum, results in a persistent infection. Since these mice become persistently infected, they are useful for in vivo testing of compounds with potential anti-cryptosporidial activity. In a previous study, it was determined that the oral administration of the polyamine, putrescine, prevents C. parvum infection of immunocompetent C57BL/6J mice. In the present study, TCR-alpha-deficient mice were treated twice daily with either putrescine, SL-11047 (a spermine analogue), or saline from 3-10 days of age, challenged with C. parvum at 7 days of age, and euthanized at 11 days of age. Distal ileal and cecal tissues were removed, fixed in formalin, and examined for evidence of C. parvum infection. Both putrescine- and SL-11047-treated mice were protected from C. parvum infection, whereas saline-treated (control) mice were heavily infected. In addition, treatment of C. parvum-infected TCR-alpha-deficient mice with 0.67 mg SL-11047 twice daily for 7 days cleared a pre-existing infection. These findings suggest that polyamines or polyamine analogues may be useful compounds for the treatment of cryptosporidiosis.