The efficacy of artemisinin, artemether, and lumefantrine against Babesia gibsoni in vitro

• We used wild-type and atovaquone-resistant Babesia gibsoni isolates in vitro.
• Artemisinin, artemerther, and lumefantrine could inhibit the growth of B. gibsoni.
• Artemisinin derivatives showed lower sensitivity than Plasmodium falciparum.
• The interaction between artemerther and lumefantrine showed synergism.

Artemisinin has many derivatives, and it is effective against Plasmodium spp. However, only a limited number of reports have confirmed the efficacy of artemisinin derivatives against Babesia spp. In this study, whether artemisinin and artemether could inhibit the growth of Babesia gibsoni was evaluated in vitro. In addition, the interaction between artemether and lumefantrine was evaluated. These drugs inhibited the growth of B. gibsoni, but artemisinin and artemether showed lower sensitivity against atovaquone-resistant B. gibsoni than against wild-type B. gibsoni. The interaction between artemether and lumefantrine showed synergism against B. gibsoni. Although further study is needed, the combination of artemisinin derivatives could be useful for babesiosis.

The evaluation of the efficacy of combination drugs. Gray zone shows synergism, dark gray zone shows additive interaction, and white zone shows antagonism.The combination artemisinin/lumefantrine against wild-type and atovaquone-resistant B. gibsoni showed synergism.Figure optionsDownload as PowerPoint slide