Activity of roxithromycin against Toxoplasma gondii in murine models

Investigations into the activity of roxithromycin against murine toxoplasma infections are reviewed. Roxithromycin is an active drug against murine toxoplasmosis after intraperitoneal challenge with the RH strain of Toxoplasma gondii. Roxithromycin protected 100% of mice after five daily doses of 540 mg per kg administered by gavage. The cure rate after treatment of peritoneal infections seemed to be related to the length of the therapy. Roxithromycin also decreased the number of toxoplasma cysts, after intracerebral infection with the C56 strain and showed synergistic activity when combined with gamma interferon. Thus, roxithromycin could be a worthwhile alternative to current therapy against toxoplasma infections. Clinical studies on its activity and safety, especially in pregnancy, are warrante

Activity of spiramycin against Toxoplasma gondii in vitro, in experimental infections and in human infection

The in-vitro, experimental and clinical activities of spiramycin against Toxoplasma gondii have been reviewed. In mammalian cells infected by T. gondii as in various experimental models, spiramycin definitively exerts an inhibitory antitoxoplasmic effect which, clinically, seems useful for preventing congenital toxoplasma infection during pregnancy or for reducing the inflammation in toxoplasmic chorioretinitis. However, spiramycin does not kill the parasite efficiently, and cannot be recommended for eradicating the most severe forms of toxoplasmosi