Anti-cryptosporidial activity of macrolides in immunosuppressed rats.

Five macrolides were evaluated for anti-cryptosporidial activity in a dexamethasone-immunosuppressed rat model. All the macrolides evaluated reduced the severity of the ileal infection, but their effect on the cecal infection was variable, depending on the macrolide tested and the dose administered. The results of this study suggest that the use of some macrolides as potential anti-cryptosporidial agents warrants further investigation.