by Mazzeti AL, Diniz LDF, Gonçalves KR, WonDollinger RS, Assíria T, Ribeiro I, Bahia MT. Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy 2019, 63: e02264-18. doi:10.1128/AAC.02264-18
Summary: This study evaluated the effects of allopurinol in association with nitro compounds on infection with Y strain Trypanosoma cruzi in order to determine whether allopurinol might be useful as part of a combination therapy for Chagas disease. A synergistic interaction was found for allopurinol with both nifurtimox and benznidazole in vitro. Administration of allopurinol and benznidazole in combination significantly increased the cure rate to 60 to 100% in infected Swiss mice treated with benznidazole 75 mg/kg plus 30, 60, or 90 mg/kg allopurinol. These results show a positive interaction between allopurinol and benznidazole and, since both drugs are commercially available, their use in combination may be considered for evaluation in the treatment of Chagas disease patients.
