Development of a New Chemotherapy for Human African Trypanosomiasis by Using an Animal Model: Suramin with DL-Alpha-Difluoromethylornithine

Abstract : Towards developing a new chemotherapy for African trypanosomiasis, nine strains of Trypanosoma brucei rhodesiense were acquired and used to establish mouse model of African trypanosomiasis which will be suitable for testing drug protocols against both early and late stage disease. Experiments were performed to determine the maximum tolerated difluoromethylornithine (DFMO) dose. DFMO was used to treat groups of mice infected with different strains of T. brucei rhodesiense at the early stage of infection. Variation was found in the sensitivity of the various strains to DFMO as predicted. A range of combinations of DFMO and suramin were administered to uninfected mice in order to detect any possible toxic interactions. Keywords: African Trypanosomiasis; Trypanosoma Brucei Rhodesiense; DFMO; Difluoromethylornithine; chemotherapy; Late Stage Disease.