New Drug Targets Both Cutaneous and Visceral Forms of Leishmaniasis

Drug developers have isolated a chemical compound from Streptomyces bacteria that is a potent anti-parasitical agent, which may be especially effective for treatment of cutaneous and visceral leishmaniasis.

The drug, code named A-33853, was produced by culturing organisms of the Streptomyces species NRRL 12068 in a culture medium containing assimilable sources of carbon, nitrogen, and inorganic salts. The bacteria were maintained under submerged aerobic fermentation conditions until a substantial amount of antibiotic was produced. The fermentation mixture was then filtered to remove the bacteria, and the pH of the filtrate was adjusted to be slightly basic. The antibiotic was then isolated from the filtered fermentation broth by extraction with an organic solvent and concentration of the extract.

Investigators at the University of Illinois (Chicago, USA) reported in the December 11, 2008, online edition of the Journal of Medicinal Chemistry, that A-33853 was effective in killing both visceral and cutaneous forms of the leishmania parasite. This parasite, which is spread by the bite of infected sand flies, infects more than 12 million people in 88 countries and causes more than 70,000 deaths annually. The potent anti-leishmanial activity of A-33853 was discovered when it was included in a library of 100 naturally occurring compounds that was screened for ability to kill leishmania. The investigators found that A-33853 was three times more potent than miltefosine, the only currently available oral treatment for leishmaniasis.

"Despite a worsening global impact of leishmaniasis, little progress has been made toward the development of new chemotherapeutics against it," said senior author Dr. Alan P. Kozikowski, professor of medicinal chemistry at the University of Illinois.

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