Efficacy of combination of DFMO and diminazene aceturate in the treatment of late stage Trypanosoma brucei brucei infection in rats.

The therapeutic activity of difluoromethylornithine and diminazene aceturate alone and in combination was investigated in albino rats with late stage Trypanosoma brucei brucei infection. The criteria used in the assessment of the trypanocidal effect of the compounds include the degree of parasitaemia, and frequency of relapse and death. DFMO (4 percent administered in drinking water for 6 days) and diminazene aceturate (10 mg per kg intraperitoneal) produced an intermittent aparasitaemia with relapse occurring in the two groups. A combination of the two agents produced a permanent cure. The combination of the two agents appear to act synergistically in the treatment of T.b. brucei C.N.S. infection in rats.