Pentamidine concentrations in plasma, whole blood and cerebrospinal fluid during treatment of Trypanosoma gambiense infection in Côte d'Ivoire.

Pentamidine concentrations in plasma, whole blood and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) were determined in 11 patients with Trypanosoma gambiense infection without involvement of the central nervous system in Côte d'Ivoire. Blood samples were drawn during a 48 h period after the first and last dose of pentamidine dimesylate given as 10 intramuscular injections on alternate days. Maximum plasma concentrations were generally attained within one hour after injection but varied extensively (420-13420 nmol/litre). The median plasma concentration 48 h after the last dose was approximately 5 times higher than that after the first dose. The ratio between whole blood and plasma concentration was approximately 2. Small amounts of the drug were found in the CSF after the last dose. The findings showed inter-individual differences in the pharmacokinetics of pentamidine. The currently recommended daily dose regimen could be questioned, as drug accumulation was pronounced. All patients were cured and the concentrations attained should be considered as parasiticidal. Further studies on the kinetics and distribution after single and multiple doses of pentamidine as well as studies on the possible relationship between adverse effects and plasma concentrations are, however, needed.