Efficacy of the liposome trifluralin in the treatment of experimental canine leishmaniosis

Liposomes are used as carriers to deliver drugs and to treat diseases where infection is localised in the mononuclear phagocyte system cells, as is the case of leishmaniosis. Trifluralin is a dinitroaniline with proved anti-Leishmania activity in vitro. The efficacy of liposomal trifluralin (LIP/TFL) was studied in the treatment of experimental canine leishmaniosis through quantification of parasite burden using the limiting dilution assay, follow-up of anti-Leishmania antibodies by indirect fluorescent immunoassay and cytokine expression by Reverse Transcriptase-PCR, in the bone marrow, lymph nodes, skin and peripheral blood mononuclear cells in 5 female beagle dogs. After treatment, dogs showed a general remission of clinical signs related to parasite burden reduction and Th1 cytokine mRNA expression, but there was no significant decrease in antibody levels. Alternative treatment schemes with LIP/TFL are necessary to achieve optimal results.