Tropical Journal of Pharmaceutical Research

Original Research Article | OPEN ACCESS

Comparative evaluation of the chemotherapeutic efficacies of two salts of diminazene aceturate in Trypanosoma brucei brucei infected dogs

Ukamaka U Eze¹, Ifeanyi G Eke² , Ikenna O Ezeh³, Terry A Nzeakor³, Callistus Owube², Ann Dede¹, Boniface M Anene¹

¹Department of Veterinary Medicine; ²Department of Physiology and Pharmacology; ³Department of Veterinary Parasitology and Entomology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Nigeria.

For correspondence:- Ifeanyi Eke Email: ifeanyi.eke@unn.edu.ng Tel:+2348037494699

Accepted: 22 August 2019 Published: 30 September 2019

Citation: Eze UU, Eke IG, Ezeh IO, Nzeakor TA, Owube C, Dede A, et al. Comparative evaluation of the chemotherapeutic efficacies of two salts of diminazene aceturate in Trypanosoma brucei brucei infected dogs. Trop J Pharm Res 2019; 18(9):1961-1967 doi: 10.4314/tjpr.v18i9.26

© 2019 The authors.
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Abstract

Purpose: To compare the anti-trypanosomal efficacies of 4,4-(diazoaminedibenzamidinetrihydrate) diacetate (4,4-DDBT) and 4,4-(diazoamino) benzamidine (4,4-DB) in experimental canine trypanosomosis.

Methods: The efficacies of 4,4-DDBT and 4,4-DB were evaluated in 4 groups of dogs (n = 3) designated A-D. Group A was normal control without infection or drug treatment, group B did not receive any drug treatment but was infected with Trypanosoma brucei brucei, while groups C and D were infected with T. b. brucei and treated with 4,4-DDBT(3.5 mg/kg) and 4,4-DB (3.5 mg/kg), respectively.

Results: The incubation period of the infection was 6 - 9 days post-infection. Treatment of the dogs with 4,4-DDBT led to zero parasitaemia 48 h post-treatment, while there was only a decrease in parasitemia to log 6 in 4,4-DB-treated dogs. Resurgence of parasite into the blood stream occurred in 4,4-DDBT-treated dogs 6 days after initial parasite clearance. Blood analyses post-treatment revealed elevated leucocytes and lymphocytes in 4,4-DB-treated dogs (p < 0.05). Packed cell volume was also observed to be higher in 4,4-DDBT-treated group when compared to 4,4-DB group (p < 0.05).

Conclusion: These findings suggest that 4,4-DDBT is more efficacious in the clinical management of canine trypanosomosis caused by T. b. brucei. However, it does not prevent relapse of infection. Based on these findings, therefore, 4,4-DDBT should be the diminazene salt of choice when indicated in the clinical management of T. b. brucei infection in dogs.

Keywords: Dogs, Trypanosomes, 4,4-(Diazoamino) benzamidine, 4,4-(diazoaminedibenzamidinetri-hydrate) diacetate