Outbreaks of protozoan agents such as Perkinsus olseni represent major losses for
the shellfish producers, urging the development of measures to contain and decrease
these episodes. Antimalarial drugs and selective inhibitors designed to target unique
metabolic features of the parasite (metabolisms that are not replicated in the host,
such as the folate, and shikimate pathways), have been successfully used in the
laboratory to inhibit Perkinsus proliferation.
However, due to specificities in Perkinsus species and the surrounding environment,
development of drug candidates requires further optimization at the molecular level,
to improve pharmacologic properties, as well as development of suitable tests and
administration protocols for adequate use. Recent advances and future perspectives
on the use endoperoxide-type antimalarials for perkinsosis therapy are presented and
discussed.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio
