Cryptosporidiosis is one of the risky zoonotic protozoan diseases of worldwide distribution.
This present explored the efficacy of different concentrations of piperazine citrate with or without
nitazoxanide against cryptosporidiosis infection in immuno-compromised and immuno-competent
male mice. One hundred and thirty clean bred male Swiss Albino mice weighed about 20
gm were used. Of them 65 were given immunosuppressive drug (Dexamethasone®) for 15 day
before infection. All mice put in separate labeled cages in the experimental laboratory under controlled
condition and allowed suitable food. After confirming experimental infection, both types
of mice were treated with Piperazine citrate as 100mg/kg in different doses (20, 30, & 40mg/kg).
Besides, other groups of both types of mice were treated with Nitazoxanide® (NTZ) syrup 100mg/5ml, or
Piperazine 30mg/kg and (NTZ). Assessment of drugs was done by stool examination of modified
Zeil-Nelseen stained smears for oocysts.
The results showed that both Piperazine citrate and Nitazoxanide caused significant reduction in
C. parvum oocysts as compared to control infected non-treated. Immuno-compromised mice treated
by piperazine citrate (40mg/kg) for 7 days showed a higher significant reduction in number of
oocysts as compared to immunocompromised mice treated by of Piperazine citrate (20&30) mg/
kg for the same period. Combination of Piperazine 30 & NTZ for 7days in immuno-compromised
mice gave much more reduction in number of oocysts than NTZ alone (P<0.05). Piperazine 30 &
NTZ for 7 days in immuno-compromised mice gave much more reduction in oocysts than NTZ
alone (P<0.05).