Evaluation of sinefungin for the treatment of Trypanosoma (Nannomonas) congolense infections in goats.

Caprine Trypanosoma (N.) congolense infections were treated with sinefungin, an antifungal antibiotic nucleoside. Single doses from 10 to 20 mg/kg bodyweight given intramuscularly were not curative for goats; single doses of 25 and 50 mg/kg were toxic, and caused death. Five and 7.5 mg/kg administered twice daily over a three-day period, resulted in a cure in 2 animals, while 2 others relapsed. All animals relapsed when given a single daily dose of 5 or 7.5 mg/kg for 4 consecutive days. When such doses were given twice a day, they caused death in 50% of the goats and the remainder were cured. Raised serum urea levels indicated the severe nephrotoxic side-effects of sinefungin even at subcurative levels. Histopathological examinations revealed an acute tubulonephrosis.