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. 1990 Feb;34(2):225–228. doi: 10.1128/aac.34.2.225

Efficacy of a hydroxynaphthoquinone, 566C80, in experimental Pneumocystis carinii pneumonitis.

W T Hughes 1, V L Gray 1, W E Gutteridge 1, V S Latter 1, M Pudney 1
PMCID: PMC171561  PMID: 2327770

Abstract

The efficacy of a new class of drugs for Pneumocystis carinii pneumonitis was demonstrated. 566C80, a hydroxynaphthoquinone, administered orally in a dose of greater than or equal to 100 mg/kg of body weight per day prophylactically prevented P. carinii pneumonitis in 90% or more of rats, while all untreated control animals developed pneumonitis. When 566C80 (100 mg/kg per day) was administered for 3 weeks after P. carinii pneumonitis was established, therapy was totally effective and all of the untreated controls had progressive P. carinii pneumonitis. A dose of 566C80 of between 25 and 50 mg/kg per day protected 50% of the rats from P. carinii pneumonitis, and a dose of between 50 and 100 mg/kg per day cured 50% of those treated for P. carinii pneumonitis. Both prophylaxis and treatment with 566C80 were at least as effective as with trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole. Animals maintained on immunosuppression after completion of treatment remained free of P. carinii, suggesting a killing effect. Clearance of P. carinii was associated with levels of 60 micrograms or more of 566C80 per ml of plasma. This hydroxynaphthoquinone offers promise as an anti-P. carinii drug.

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Selected References

These references are in PubMed. This may not be the complete list of references from this article.

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