Lack of activity of artemether for prophylaxis and treatment of toxoplasma gondiiand Pneumocystis cariniiinfections in rat

Artemisinin and its derivatives have been found effective in vivo against Plasmodiumand in vitroagainst Toxoplasma gondiiand Pneumocystis carinii. We tested the activity of artemether for prophylaxis and treatment in the rat model of concurrent T. gondiiand P. cariniiinfection. Artemether at doses of 18 and 100 mg/kg administered (s.c.) in prophylaxis did not prevent toxoplasmosis or pneumocystosis, while trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (reference treatment) was effective for prevention of both infections. Similar results were obtained in curative studies. These results do not support the use of artemether for prevention or treatment of toxoplasmosis or pneumocystosis.