Evaluation of the efficacy of paromomycin in the treatment of experimental cutaneous leishmaniasis

• Grant number: 18/03299-0
• Support type: Scholarships in Brazil - Master
• Effective date (Start): April 01, 2018
• Effective date (End): February 29, 2020
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Parasitology - Protozoology of Parasites
• Principal Investigator: Adriano Cappellazzo Coelho
• Grantee: Elizabeth Magiolo Coser
• Home Institution: Instituto de Biologia (IB). Universidade Estadual de Campinas (UNICAMP). Campinas , SP, Brazil
• Associated research grant: 16/21171-6 - Paromomycin for the treatment of Tegumentary Leishmaniasis: investigation in vitro, in vivo and in the identification of molecular markers associated with susceptibility and resistance, AP.JP

Abstract

Leishmaniasis is a parasitic disease considered neglected by the World Health Organization. In Brazil, the number of cases of disease has increased in recent years, especially in urban areas. The control of leishmaniasis in Brazil is limited to the use of parenteral drugs that are expensive and induce serious side effects. The therapeutic arsenal available is limited to pentavalent antimonials, amphotericin B and pentamidine. Recently, two drugs were approved as alternatives to the treatment of visceral leishmaniasis in Asia: miltefosine and paromomycin. Although they have not yet been approved for use in Brazil, there is great potential that these drugs will be used in the treatment of leishmaniasis in Brazil. In this research project, we propose to evaluate the susceptibility to paromomycin in vitro of Leishmania isolates from patients with cutaneous leishmaniasis of the State of São Paulo, as well as its in vivo efficacy in a murine experimental model of infection of two species that cause cutaneous leishmaniasis in Brazil: Leishmania (Viannia) braziliensis and Leishmania (Leishmania) amazonensis. In vitro-selected paromomycin resistant parasites of both species and clinical isolates presenting low susceptibility in vitro will also be used in in vivo studies. This study will investigate the potential use of paromomycin in the treatment of cutaneous leishmaniasis in Brazil as a possible alternative treatment for the disease. (AU)