Late-Stage African Trypanosomiasis and Eflornithine
Authors: Cesare Di Bari, Giuseppe Pastore, Georgio Roscigno, Paul J. Schechter, Albert Sjoerdsma
Journal: Annals of Internal Medicine (1986)

Letters and Corrections1 November 1986Late-Stage African Trypanosomiasis and EflornithineCESARE DI BARI, M.D., GIUSEPPE PASTORE, M.D., GEORGIO ROSCIGNO, M.D., PAUL J. SCHECHTER, M.D., Ph.D., ALBERT SJOERDSMA, M.D., Ph.D.CESARE DI BARI, M.D.Search for more papers by this author, GIUSEPPE PASTORE, M.D.Search for more papers by this author, GEORGIO ROSCIGNO, M.D.Search for more papers by this author, PAUL J. SCHECHTER, M.D., Ph.D.Search for more papers by this author, ALBERT SJOERDSMA, M.D., Ph.D.Search for more papers by this authorAuthor, Article, and Disclosure Informationhttps://doi.org/10.7326/0003-4819-105-5-803_3 SectionsAboutPDF ToolsAdd to favoritesDownload CitationsTrack CitationsPermissions ShareFacebookTwitterLinkedInRedditEmail ExcerptTo the editor: Human trypanosomiasis is a major public health problem in many African countries. At present, there is alarm at the recrudescence of this disease in its historical habitats. Melarsoprol, an organic arsenical and the only agent currently available to treat the late-stage disease (that is, with meningoencephalic involvement), is associated with a high incidence of toxicity (up to 10% mortality) (1, 2), and a growing percentage of cases of late-stage trypanosomiasis are now refractory to treatment (3). We are aware of several cases of trypanosomiasis recently seen in the United States and Europe.Eflornithine (DL-alpha-difluoromethylornithine), an inhibitor of...References1. . The African Trypanosomiases: Report of a joint WHO Expert Committee and FAO Expert Consultation. Geneva: World Health Organisation; 1979. (WHO Technical Report Series No. 635). Google Scholar2. APTED F. Present status of chemotherapy and chemoprophylaxis of human trypanosomiasis in the eastern hemisphere. Pharmacol Ther. 1980;11:391-413. CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar3. VAN NIEUWENHOVESCHECHTERDECLERCQ SPJ. Treatment of gambiense sleeping sickness in the Sudan with oral DFMO (DL-α-difluoromethylornithine), an inhibitor of ornithine decarboxylase: first field trial. Trans R Soc Trop Med Hyg. 1985;79:692-8. CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar4. MCCANNBACCHICLARKSON PCA. Further studies on difluoromethylornithine in African trypanosomes. Med Biol. 1981;59:434-40. MedlineGoogle Scholar5. SJOERDSMASCHECHTER AP. Chemotherapeutic implications of polyamine biosynthesis inhibition. Clin Pharmacol Ther. 1984;30:284-300. Google Scholar This content is PDF only. To continue reading please click on the PDF icon. Author, Article, and Disclosure InformationAffiliations: PreviousarticleNextarticle Advertisement FiguresReferencesRelatedDetails Metrics Cited byCatalytic Enantioselective Addition of an Allyl Group to Ketones Containing a Tri-, a Di-, or a Monohalomethyl Moiety. Stereochemical Control Based on Distinctive Electronic and Steric Attributes of C–Cl, C–Br, and C–F BondsScalable Continuous Flow Process for the Synthesis of Eflornithine Using Fluoroform as Difluoromethyl SourceAn Approach to the Patient with HirsutismBiological Impacts of FluorinationEconazol 1 November 1986Volume 105, Issue 5Page: 803-804KeywordsMortalityPrevention, policy, and public healthToxicityTrypanosomiasis ePublished: 1 December 2008 Issue Published: 1 November 1986 PDF downloadLoading ...