Growth inhibitory effect of triclosan on equine and bovine Babesia parasites

We evaluated the growth inhibitory effect of triclosan, which has recently been reported to inhibit the growth of Plasmodium species and Toxoplasma gondii, on bovine and equine Babesia parasites in in vitro cultures. The growth of Babesia bovis and B. bigemina was significantly inhibited in the presence of 100 mug/ml of triclosan, while B. caballi and B. equi were susceptible to as low as 50 mug/ml. Babesia bigemina and B. caballi were completely cleared as early as on the first and second day of the treatment, respectively. These parasites did not exhibit any growth in the subsequent five-day period of subculture without triclosan. Drug-treated parasites appeared pycnotic and atypically shaped, and ultrastructurally showed pronounced vacuolations, leading to complete destruction of parasites. Light microscopy showed that used concentrations of triclosan showed no toxicity against the host cells. The results suggest that triclosan can be used for chemotherapy of babesiosis.