The Journal of veterinary medical science2003; 65(11); 1171-1177; doi: 10.1292/jvms.65.1171

In-vivo therapeutic efficacy trial with artemisinin derivative, buparvaquone and imidocarb dipropionate against Babesia equi infection in donkeys.

Abstract: The therapeutic efficacy of imidocarb, artesunate, arteether, buparvaquone and arteether+buparvaquone combination was evaluated against Babesia equi of Indian origin in splenectomised donkeys with experimentally induced acute infection. Efficacies of these drugs were tested by administering each drug or drug combination to groups of donkeys (having three donkeys each group). One group of donkey was kept as untreated control for comparing the results. Parasitaemia, haematology (WBC, RBC, PCV, granulocytes and haemoglobin), biochemical parameters (SAST, SALT, alkaline phosphatase, albumin/globulin ratio) were monitored at regular intervals. Individually, arteether and buparvaquone were found to have no parasite clearing efficacy and the treated animals died within 5-6 days after showing high parasitaemia and clinical symptoms of the disease. However, artesunate treated animals were able to restrict the parasite multiplication but only during the treatment period. Animals treated with imidocarb and arteether+buparvaquone combination were able to clear the parasite from the blood circulation after 2-5 days post-treatment (PT). After 55-58 days PT, recrudescence of B. equi parasite was observed in both these groups and a mean survival period of 66 days and 69 days, respectively, was recorded in these groups. Results of haemato-biochemical parameters had shown that imidocarb had deleterious effect on the liver function while on the other hand arteether+buparvaquone combination was found to be safe. This limited study indicates that arteether+buparvaquone combination could be a better choice than imidocarb for treating B. equi infection, but further trials are required in detail.
Publication Date: 2003-12-11 PubMed ID: 14665744DOI: 10.1292/jvms.65.1171Google Scholar: Lookup
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  • Clinical Trial
  • Comparative Study
  • Journal Article
  • Randomized Controlled Trial

Summary

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This research examines the potential effectiveness of various drugs and drug combinations in treating Babesia equi (a parasite) infection in donkeys. The results suggest that a combination of arteether and buparvaquone might be a safer and more effective cure than imidocarb, but asserts that more detailed trials are necessary.

Research Methodology

  • The study aimed to evaluate the therapeutic efficiency of certain drugs. These drugs are namely imidocarb, artesunate, arteether, buparvaquone and a combination of arteether and buparvaquone against Babesia equi, a parasite of Indian origin.
  • Donkeys that were experimentally induced with an acute infection were used. They were splenectomised, meaning they had their spleens removed, as a part of the experiment.
  • The drugs were administered to different groups, each consisting three donkeys. One of these groups was kept as an untreated control to compare the results effectively.

Parameters Monitored and Findings

  • The research extensively monitored several parameters including parasitaemia, haematological factors (WBC, RBC, PCV, granulocytes and haemoglobin), and biochemical parameters (SAST, SALT, alkaline phosphatase, and albumin/globulin ratio).
  • Singly, neither arteether nor buparvaquone could clear the parasite. Donkeys administered with these singular drugs died within 5-6 days due to high parasitaemia and noticeable symptoms of the disease.
  • Whereas, with artesunate, the parasite multiplication was restricted but only during the treatment period.
  • Only the imidocarb and the combination of arteether and buparvaquone were effective in completely removing the parasite from the blood circulation, and that too after 2-5 days of treatment.

Recurrences, Survival and Side Influence

  • Recurrence of B. equi parasite was noted in both the imidocarb and the combination group post 55-58 days of treatment. The survival period for these groups was an average of 66 and 69 days respectively.
  • Imidocarb manifested a negative impact on liver function while the combination of arteether and buparvaquone did not, indicating the latter to be safer.
  • The preliminary study therefore concludes that the combination could be a better choice against B. equi infection than using imidocarb. However, it also emphasises the need for further in-depth trials to confirm this finding.

Cite This Article

APA
Kumar S, Gupta AK, Pal Y, Dwivedi SK. (2003). In-vivo therapeutic efficacy trial with artemisinin derivative, buparvaquone and imidocarb dipropionate against Babesia equi infection in donkeys. J Vet Med Sci, 65(11), 1171-1177. https://doi.org/10.1292/jvms.65.1171

Publication

ISSN: 0916-7250
NlmUniqueID: 9105360
Country: Japan
Language: English
Volume: 65
Issue: 11
Pages: 1171-1177

Researcher Affiliations

Kumar, Sanjay
  • National Research Centre on Equines, Haryana, India.
Gupta, Ashok K
    Pal, Yash
      Dwivedi, Shailendra K

        MeSH Terms

        • Animals
        • Antiprotozoal Agents / administration & dosage
        • Antiprotozoal Agents / therapeutic use
        • Artemisinins / administration & dosage
        • Artemisinins / therapeutic use
        • Babesiosis / drug therapy
        • Babesiosis / veterinary
        • Blood Cell Count / veterinary
        • Drug Therapy, Combination
        • Equidae / blood
        • Equidae / parasitology
        • Imidocarb / administration & dosage
        • Imidocarb / analogs & derivatives
        • Imidocarb / therapeutic use
        • India
        • Naphthoquinones / administration & dosage
        • Naphthoquinones / therapeutic use
        • Sesquiterpenes / administration & dosage
        • Sesquiterpenes / therapeutic use
        • Splenectomy / veterinary

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