Abstract
BACKGROUND: Cryptosporidiosis, an enteric protozoon, causes substantial morbidity and mortality associated with diarrhea in children <2 years old in low- to middle-income countries. There is no vaccine and treatments are inadequate. A piperazine-based compound, MMV665917, has in vitro and in vivo efficacy against Cryptosporidium parvum. In this study, we evaluated the efficacy of MMV665917 in gnotobiotic piglets experimentally infected with Cryptosporidium hominis, the species responsible for >75% of diarrhea reported in these children. METHODS: Gnotobiotic piglets were orally challenged with C hominis oocysts, and oral treatment with MMV665917 was commenced 3 days after challenge. Oocyst excretion and diarrhea severity were observed daily, and mucosal colonization and lesions were recorded after necropsy. RESULTS: MMV665917 significantly reduced fecal oocyst excretion, parasite colonization and damage to the intestinal mucosa, and peak diarrheal symptoms, compared with infected untreated controls. A dose of 20 mg/kg twice daily for 7 days was more effective than 10 mg/kg. There were no signs of organ toxicity at either dose, but 20 mg/kg was associated with slightly elevated blood cholesterol and monocytes at euthanasia. CONCLUSIONS: These results demonstrate the effectiveness of this drug against C hominis. Piperazine-derivative MMV665917 may potentially be used to treat human cryptosporidiosis; however, further investigations are required.