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Efficacy of albendazole combined with a marine fungal extract (m2-9) against Angiostrongylus cantonensis-induced meningitis in mice

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  04 November 2011

Z.-Y. Li
Affiliation:
Key Laboratory of Tropical Diseases and Control of the Ministry of Education, Guangzhou, China Department of Parasitology, Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, P.R. China
R. Sun
Affiliation:
Key Laboratory of Tropical Diseases and Control of the Ministry of Education, Guangzhou, China Department of Parasitology, Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, P.R. China
J. Li
Affiliation:
Guangdong Province Key Laboratory of Functional Molecules in Oceanic Microorganisms, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, P.R. China
Y.-X. Song
Affiliation:
Guangdong Province Key Laboratory of Functional Molecules in Oceanic Microorganisms, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, P.R. China
Y.-C. Lin
Affiliation:
Guangdong Province Key Laboratory of Functional Molecules in Oceanic Microorganisms, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, P.R. China
X. Zeng
Affiliation:
Key Laboratory of Tropical Diseases and Control of the Ministry of Education, Guangzhou, China Department of Parasitology, Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, P.R. China
H.-J. He
Affiliation:
Key Laboratory of Tropical Diseases and Control of the Ministry of Education, Guangzhou, China Department of Parasitology, Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, P.R. China
J. Wei
Affiliation:
Key Laboratory of Tropical Diseases and Control of the Ministry of Education, Guangzhou, China Department of Parasitology, Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, P.R. China
F. Yang
Affiliation:
Key Laboratory of Tropical Diseases and Control of the Ministry of Education, Guangzhou, China Department of Parasitology, Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, P.R. China
H.-Q. Zheng
Affiliation:
Key Laboratory of Tropical Diseases and Control of the Ministry of Education, Guangzhou, China Department of Parasitology, Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, P.R. China
Z.-Y. Lv
Affiliation:
Key Laboratory of Tropical Diseases and Control of the Ministry of Education, Guangzhou, China Department of Parasitology, Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, P.R. China
Z.-D. Wu*
Affiliation:
Key Laboratory of Tropical Diseases and Control of the Ministry of Education, Guangzhou, China Department of Parasitology, Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, P.R. China

Abstract

The pathogenesis of angiostrongyliasis, resulting from Angiostrongylus cantonensis invasion of the human central nervous system, remains elusive. Anthelmintics are usually used to kill worms, although dead worms in the brain may cause severe inflammation which will lead to central nervous system damage. Therefore, combination therapy with anthelmintics and anti-inflammatory drugs in the treatment of human angiostrongyliasis needs further study. To evaluate the efficacy of albendazole combined with a marine fungal extract (m2-9) in A. cantonensis infection, BALB/c mice infected by the third-stage larvae of A. cantonensis were divided into three groups: mice treated with albendazole or m2-9 alone or in combination from day 5 post-inoculation (PI). Several efficacy parameters were recorded, including weight change, worm recovery, neurological function, behavioural analysis, eosinophil and leucocyte counts. The results showed that combination therapy increased body weight, reduced worm burden, improved learning ability, memory and action, decreased neurological dysfunction and leucocyte response in these mice. The combination of albendazole and m2-9 treatment significantly decreased leucocyte response and increased the frequency of rearing, compared to infected mice treated with either drug alone. Therefore, m2-9 is a natural product with potentially significant therapeutic value for angiostrongyliasis and is worthy of further study.

Type
Research Papers
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2011

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