Efficacy of azithromycin and miltefosine in experimental systemic pythiosis in immunosuppressed mice

Abstract

We evaluated the efficacy of azithromycin (50 mg/kg, every 12 h [q12h] orally) and miltefosine (25 mg/kg, q24h orally) treatments in an experimental model of vascular/disseminated pythiosis in immunosuppressed mice. Azithromycin was the only treatment able to reduce mortality. The histopathological findings showed acute vascular inflammation, pathogen dissemination, necrotizing myositis, neuritis, and arteritis. The results suggest that azithromycin, but not miltefosine, may have clinical relevance in the treatment of vascular/disseminated pythiosis.