EVALUATION OF THE BOVINE - ONCHOCERCA-GIBSONI, ONCHOCERCA-GUTTUROSA MODEL AS A TERTIARY SCREEN FOR DRUGS AGAINST ONCHOCERCA-VOLVULUS IN MAN

Abstract

Suramin, diethylcarbamazine, trichlorphon, levamisole, mebendazole, melarsonyl potassium, Hoechst 33258 and tinidazole were administered to cattle infected with O. gibsoni and O. gutturosa [blood parasites] to determine the usefulness of this screen in predicting the effect of drugs in man against O. volvulus. Macro- and microfilaricidal effects were similar to those reported in man or chimpanzees against O. volvulus except for melarsonyl potassium which was macrofilaricidal against O. gutturosa but not O. gibsoni when cattle were slaughtered 6 wk after treatment. Cattle infected with O. gibsoni are a satisfactory substitute for chimpanzees infected with O. volvulus as a tertiary screen for drugs against O. volvulus. The use of cattle as animal models should be restricted to centers in O. gibsoni endemic areas where the necessary facilities and specialized knowledge required to use cattle as experimental animals exist.