EFFICACY OF TOPOISOMERASE INHIBITOR II (LEVOFLOXACIN) COMBINED WITH ALLIUM SATIVUM ON EXPERIMENTAL CEREBRAL TOXOPLASMOSIS INFECTED MICE

Toxoplasmosis is a worldwide parasitic disease that affects about one third of the population. The infection may range from asymptomatic to severe deadly in immunocompromised patients. Unfortunately, the available drugs are toxic and cannot eradicate bradyzoites in chronic disease. The study evaluated levofloxacin combined with Allium sativum compared with trimethoprim + sulphamethoxazole to treat experimental cerebral toxoplasmosis in mice infected with Me49 cystogenic strain. The study included normal control group (GI), infected control group (GII), levofloxacin-treated group (GIII) (90 mg/kg/day starting on the 4 th d.p.i. and continued for 7 days), Sutrim-treated group (GIV) (Trimethoprim at a dose 30 mg/kg/day + Sulphamethoxazole at a dose of 150 mg/kg/day starting on 4 th d.p.i and continued for 30 days), and the combined LVX+ A. sativum -treated (GV) (LVX was given as described in GIII and A. sativum was given at a dose of 500mg/kg/day started on the 4 th d.p.i up to 30 days). The experiment was terminated on the 45 th d.p.i. Giemsa-stained impression smears from brain tissues of each mouse were prepared to determine parasitic load. Histopathological and immunohistochemical studies were done. Serum samples were prepared for immunological (IL-10, IL-12, IL-17, IFN-) and bio-chemical studies (iNOS, AST, ALT, urea, creatinine). The best results were obtained in GV, with a significant reduction (92.77%) in brain cyst count with improved histopathological findings. There was a significant decrease in IL-10 and significant increases in IL-12, IL-17, IFN-, iNOS. Liver and renal functions biochemical studies showed safety of this combination.