Action of Chloramphenicol (Chloromycetin) and other Drugs against Endamoeba Histolytica in Vitro and in Experimental Animals

Abstract

Summary Chloramphenicol was effective against amebae in vitro. Higher concentrations were required in the presence of coagulated whole egg than in egg yolk infusion. It exerted only transient suppressive action against amebic colitis in dogs but was effective against cecal infections in rats. Although penicillin G was not amebacidal in vitro, when given orally it exerted some therapeutic effect in dogs and was highly effective in rats. Limited observations pointed to a similar discrepancy between in vitro action and therapeutic action in rats by streptomycin. Bacitracin, subtilin and methylated subtilin did not exert encouraging antiamebic action in vitro, and bacitracin did not eradicate infections in dogs. In vitro and experimental chemotherapeutic data are presented for carbarsone, acetarsone, diiodo-oxyquinoline, chiniofon, Vioform and emetine hydrochloride. Phthalyl sulfacetimide was ineffective in rats and dogs.