Flagyl in the Oral Treatment of Trichomonal

Several reports may be found in the literature on the trichomonicidal properties of derivatives of Azomycin (Nakamura, 1955; Horie, 1956; Cosar and Julou, 1959). Among this group, 1-(2-hydroxyethyl)-2-methyl-5-nitroimidazole (Flagyl) was found to possess a high activity and a very low toxicity in experimentally-infected mice (Cosar and Julou, 1959). These results were confirmed by Durel, Roiron, Siboulet, and Borel (1959, 1960), and the studies were extended to include a clinical trial of the drug in -trichomonal infections. The results of the trial were encouraging and the effect was attributed to the trichomonicidal property of the serum and urine. The last-named study has been followed by others, and the success rate of cures with this drug has been very high (Sylvestre, Gallai, and Ethier, 1959; Sylvestre and Gallai, 1960; Bouziane and Desranleau, 1960). However, such results were obtained by combined local and oral administration of Flagyl. Although numerous compounds have been tested against Trichomonas vaginalis infections in man, no specific drug had yet been found which would produce a cure when given orally alone. The final test of any drug in this persistent and recurring infection should be based on its effectiveness in systemic treatment. The present communication reports the findings of orally-administered Flagyl in cases of Trichomonas vaginalis vaginitis.