In vitro-induction of metronidazole-resistant Giardia duodenalis is not associated with nucleotide alterations in the genes involved in pro-drug activation

Mem Inst Oswaldo Cruz. 2020 Nov 2:115:e200303. doi: 10.1590/0074-02760200303. eCollection 2020.

Abstract

Giardiasis is an infectious disease caused by Giardia duodenalis. The pro-drug metronidazole (MTZ) is the first-line treatment for giardiasis. Parasite's proteins as pyruvate:ferredoxin oxidoreductase (PFOR), ferredoxin (Fd), nitroreductase-1 (NR-1) and thioredoxin reductase (TrxR) participate in MTZ activation. Here, we showed Giardia trophozoites long-term exposed to MTZ presented higher IC50 than controls, showing the drug influenced the parasite survival. That reduction in MTZ's susceptibility does not seem to be related to mutations in the genes pfor, fd, nr-1 or trxr. It points that different mechanism as alterations in other metabolic pathways can account for Giardia resistance to MTZ therapy.

MeSH terms

  • Activation, Metabolic
  • Antiprotozoal Agents* / pharmacology
  • Drug Resistance / genetics*
  • Giardia lamblia* / drug effects
  • Giardia lamblia* / genetics
  • Metronidazole / pharmacology*
  • Nucleotides
  • Prodrugs*

Substances

  • Antiprotozoal Agents
  • Nucleotides
  • Prodrugs
  • Metronidazole