[Amoebecide and trichomonacide activities of secnidazole in the laboratory]

A study of the experimental chemotherapeutic activity of secnidazole as compared to metronidazole is presented, including a summary of toxicity, metabolism, pharmacokinetic studies and preliminary results from clinical trials. Secnidazole is about twice as active as metronidazole against experimental amebiasis, equiactive against trichomoniasis, and possesses low toxicity. After oral administration to man, active concentrations in the blood persist much longer than in the case of metronidazole and notably longer than for tinidazole. In the clinic, its therapeutic activity against hepatic amebiasis seems to be at least equal to that of metronidazole; it appears also to be more active against acute intestinal amebiasis, and specially more effective against E. minuta and cyst carriers. Against vaginal trichomoniasis it was as effective as metronidazole after repeated administration for several days, and the percentage recovery rate was as high after one single dose as after daily administration. The digestive tolerance seems to be very satisfactory. In view of these findings, the advantages which secnidazole might possess over other 5-nitroimidazoles already in use for the treatment of amebiasis and trichomoniasis are discussed.