Ivermectin inhibits growth of Chlamydia trachomatis in epithelial cells

PLoS One. 2012;7(10):e48456. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0048456. Epub 2012 Oct 30.

Abstract

Ivermectin is currently approved for treatment of both clinical and veterinary infections by nematodes, including Onchocerca cervicalis in horses and Onchocerca volvulus in humans. However, ivermectin has never been shown to be effective against bacterial pathogens. Here we show that ivermectin also inhibits infection of epithelial cells by the bacterial pathogen, Chlamydia trachomatis, at doses that could be envisioned clinically for sexually-transmitted or ocular infections by Chlamydia.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Anti-Bacterial Agents / pharmacology*
  • Chlamydia trachomatis / drug effects*
  • Chlamydia trachomatis / physiology
  • Epithelial Cells / microbiology*
  • HeLa Cells
  • Humans
  • Ivermectin / pharmacology*

Substances

  • Anti-Bacterial Agents
  • Ivermectin