Metronidazole (MTR) is frequently used for the treatment of Blastocystis infections, but with variable effectiveness, and often with treatment failures as a possible result of drug resistance. We have developed two Blastocystis MTR-resistant (MTR R) subtype 4 WR1 lines (WR1-M4 and WR1-M5), with variable susceptibility to a panel of anti-protozoal agents including various 5-nitroimidazoles, nitazoxanide and furazolidone. WR1-M4 and WR1-M5 were developed and assessed over an 18-month period and displayed persistent MTR resistance, being more than 2.5-fold less susceptible to MTR than the parent isolate. The MTR R lines grew with a similar g time to WR1, but were morphologically less consistent with a mixture of size. All Blastocystis isolates and the MTR R lines were most susceptible to the 5-nitroimidazole drug ronidazole. WR1-M5 was apparently cross-resistant to satranidazole and furazolidone, and WR1-M4 was cross-resistant to nitazoxanide. These MTR R lines now provide a valuable tool for the continued assessment of the efficacy and mechanism of action of new and established drugs against a range of Blastocystis sp. subtypes, in order to identify a universally effective drug and to facilitate understanding of the mechanisms of drug action and resistance in Blastocystis. © 2012 Springer-Verlag.
CITATION STYLE
Dunn, L. A., Tan, K. S. W., Vanelle, P., Juspin, T., Crozet, M. D., Terme, T., … Upcroft, J. A. (2012). Development of metronidazole-resistant lines of Blastocystis sp. Parasitology Research, 111(1), 441–450. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00436-012-2860-7
Mendeley helps you to discover research relevant for your work.