Abstract
Objective: To assess the efficacy of Azithromycin, a macrolids antibiotic, againsst experimentally
induced toxopiasmosis in marine model
Design: Experimental study.
Setting: Department of Microbiology, Nineveh College of Medicine, from October 2004 to
November 2005.
Results: The efficacy of Azithromycin against Toxoplasma gondii was examined in murine
models of infection with a moderately virulent strain. Forty white Albino mice inoculated by
mouth with 2x 10 cysts, 20 mice were treated with Azithromycin at dose of 250 mg/kg /day for
90 days. Drug treatment was initiated 30 days after infection (chronic infection). Treatment with
Azithromycin significantly enhanced survival and reduced the brain cyst burden as compared
with untreated (control) group of mice. Since 80% of treated mice were cornp>letely cured from
toxopiasmosis as their brain were free of Toxoplasma tissue cysts either microscopically or by
bioassay.
Conclusion: The results warrant clinical evaluation of Azithromycin in the treatment of
toxopiasmosis in both immunocompetent and immunocompromised patients.
