Evaluation of SCH51048 in an experimental model of pulmonary aspergillosis

The efficacy of a novel triazole, SCH51048, was assessed with a murine model of pulmonary aspergillosis and was compared with those of SCH39304 and itraconazole. A wide range of doses of SCH51048 (5 to 50 mg/kg of body weight) was evaluated. Mortality was significantly delayed in mice treated with doses of 5 mg of SCH51048 per kg or greater in comparison with mortality in controls (P < 0.05). Both SCH51048 and SCH39304 at higher doses (30 and 50 mg/kg) reduced the number of viable Aspergillus fumigatus organisms in lung tissue (P < 0.05). In the present model, itraconazole neither delayed mortality nor significantly reduced the counts in tissue at the doses used. We conclude that SCH51048 is an effective therapy for murine pulmonary aspergillosis.