Susceptibility of a rodent-adapted strain of Trypanosoma vivax to Berenil, Samorin and Novidium

The susceptibility of a rodent-adapted strain of Trypanosoma vivax (Leeflant strain Y58) to Berenil, Samorin and Novidium was tested in mice. When infected mice were treated on the second day of detectable parasitaemia, there was complete cure with Berenil at 10 mg/kg, Novidium at 4 mg/kg and Samorin at 0.2 mg/kg body weight respectively. Berenil and Novodium at lower doses rendered the mice aparasitaemic for a few days followed by heavy parasitaemia (relapse) and death. Lower doses of Samorin, on the other hand, were curative for none or only some of the mice but without relapses. These observations are related to the accepted modes of action of these drugs and their use in the field.