The use of the 2 substituted 5-nitroimidazole, Fexinidazole (Hoe 239) in the treatment of chronic T. brucei infections in mice.

Relapse of chronic T. brucei infections was completely prevented by treating with either diminazene aceturate (Berenil) at 40 mg/kg or suramin (Germanin) at 20 mg/kg followed by four doses of the 2-substituted 5-nitroimidazole (Fexinidazole) (Hoe 239). None of these drugs administered singly elicited 100% permanent cures although a high percentage of the mice were cured with four doses of Fexinidazole at 250 mg/kg. A single dose of 20 mg/kg suramin followed by four daily doses of 30 mg/kg Fexinidazole will effectively eliminate all the trypanosomes from the brains of chronically infected mice.