Curative effect of alpha-difluoromethylornithine on fatal Trypanosoma congolense infection in mice.

The curative effect of alpha-difluoromethylornithine (DFMO) on fatal T. congolense infection in mice was investigated using various concentrations administered orally in drinking water. Permanent cure was achieved in mice receiving 4% for 3 days or 2% for 5 days. Mice receiving less became parasitemic again but then, without any further treatment, resisted death due to trypanosomes for an average of 34.5 days, while untreated controls were dead within 8 days after trypanosomes were first seen in their blood.