Cryptosporidium is a coccidian protozoan parasite of worldwide distribution. Cryptosporidium was reported as an important cause of diarrhea and gastroenteritis in humans. In man , it is more frequent among children and immunocompromizedindividuals. It may be fatal in AIDS patients. A disease of such importance needs a curative treatment .Many trials of different drugs have been tried with limited success. We aimed at trying spiramycin ,sulphadimethoxine, and colchicine( not tried before) as sole agents and in different combinations in treatment of cryptosporidiosis in 240 immunocompetent and immunosuppressed mice. Assessment was done by stool examination using modified Ziehl -Nelseen technique and histopathological examination of the terminal ileum.Sulphamethoxine proved effective in treatment of experimentally induced cryptosporidial infection in mice .This was apparent in decreased oocyst count in stool and in regression of histopathological changes .The curative effect was more marked in immunocompetent than in immunosuppressed mice. Spiramycin was also effective as a treatment with similar results but to a lesser extent .Colchicine was not effective in treating experimentally induced cryptosporidiosis in mice as oocysts showed slight increase on count and aggravation of histopathological changes .Combination of Colchicine with spiramycin or sulphadimethoxine gave results less effective than spiramycin or sulphamethoxine separately |
