Methods and Compositions for Prevention and Treatment of Apicomplexan Infections

Abstract

Methods and compositions for preventing and/or treating diseases and conditions caused by certain apicomplexan infections are provided. The methods involve administering/providing to a subject one or more of tartrolon D and E, including isomers thereof. Exemplary apicomplexan infections that are prevented/treated by the compounds of the invention include those caused by Cryptosporidium, Babesia, Cyclospora, Isospora, Plasmodium, Sarcocystis, Besnoitia, Hammondia, Neospora, Theileria and Toxoplasma.

1 - 18 . (canceled) 
     
     
         19 . A pharmaceutical composition for treating or preventing a disease caused by an apicomplexan parasite in a subject in need thereof comprising:
 a. at least one of substantially purified tartrolon D and E, in an amount that is therapeutically effective against an apicomplexan parasite; and   b. a pharmaceutically acceptable excipient, carrier, or diluent.   
     
     
         20 . The pharmaceutical composition of  claim 19 , wherein the apicomplexan parasite is a  Cryptosporidium  species. 
     
     
         21 . The pharmaceutical composition of  claim 19 , wherein the apicomplexan parasite is  Toxoplasma gondii.    
     
     
         22 . The pharmaceutical composition of  claim 19 , wherein the apicomplexan parasite is  Babesia.    
     
     
         23 . The pharmaceutical composition of  claim 22 , wherein the apicomplexan parasite is  Babesia bovis.    
     
     
         24 . The pharmaceutical composition of  claim 19 , wherein the apicomplexan parasite is a  Plasmodium  species. 
     
     
         25 . The pharmaceutical composition of  claim 24 , wherein the apicomplexan parasite is  Plasmodium falciparum  or  Plasmodium malariae.    
     
     
         26 . The pharmaceutical composition of  claim 19 , wherein the apicomplexan parasite is selected from the group consisting of  Cyclospora, Isospora, Eimeria Sarcocystis, Theileria, Besnoitia, Hammondia , and  Neospora.    
     
     
         27 . The pharmaceutical composition of  claim 19 , further comprising a second anti-parasitic agent against the same parasite. 
     
     
         28 . The pharmaceutical composition of  claim 27 , wherein the second anti-parasitic agent is selected from the group consisting of nitazoxinide, atovaquone, proguanil, artemisinin, piperaquine, chloroquine, mefloquine, doxycycline, amodiaquine, lumefantrine, sulfadoxine, pyrimethamine, quinine, clindamycin, primaquine, and tafenoquine. 
     
     
         29 . The pharmaceutical composition of  claim 19 , further comprising an agent selected from the group consisting of an antibiotic, anti-protozoan agent, adjuvants and a chemotherapeutic agent. 
     
     
         30 . A food supplement comprising tartrolon D or E or both, in a concentration effective to inhibit a disease caused by an apicomplexan parasite. 
     
     
         31 . The food supplement of  claim 30 , wherein the apicomplexan parasite is a  Cryptosporidium  species. 
     
     
         32 . The food supplement of  claim 30 , wherein the apicomplexan parasite is selected from the group consisting of  Toxoplasma, Babesia, Plasmodium, Cyclospora, Isospora, Eimeria Sarcocystis, Theileria, Besnoitia, Hammondia , and  Neospora.    
     
     
         33 . The food supplement of  claim 30 , further comprising an animal feed. 
     
     
         34 . The food supplement of  claim 33 , wherein the animal feed is for an animal selected from the group consisting of horse, sheep, goat, bovine, chicken, turkey, duck, goose, dog, cat, pig rabbit, donkey, camels, llamas, alpaca, kangaroo, wallaby, lemur, birds, penguin, sea lion, seal, and sea otter. 
     
     
         35 . The food supplement of  claim 30 , wherein the supplement is safe for human consumption. 
     
     
         36 . The food supplement of  claim 30 , wherein the disease is selected from the group consisting of cryptosporidiosis, toxoplasmosis, babesiosis, and malaria. 
     
     
         37 . The food supplement of  claim 30 , wherein the disease is selected from the group consisting of cyclosporiasis, isosporiasis, sarcocystosis, besnoitiosis, hammondiosis, neosporiasis and theileriosis. 
     
     
         38 . The pharmaceutical composition of  claim 19 , wherein the disease is selected from the group consisting of cryptosporidiosis, toxoplasmosis, babesiosis, and malaria. 
     
     
         39 . The pharmaceutical composition of  claim 19 , wherein the disease is selected from the group consisting of cyclosporiasis, isosporiasis, sarcocystosis, besnoitiosis, hammondiosis, neosporiasis and theileriosis. 
     
     
         40 . The pharmaceutical composition of  claim 19  formulated for oral administration.