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The following DAIDS-sponsored contract resources are available to assist investigators in the evaluation of novel anti-OI therapies.

In Vitro Efficacy Evaluations

• Potential therapeutic agents can be evaluated for cytotoxicity and for efficacy against Cryptococcus neoformans, Cryptosporidium parvum, Mycobacterium avium, Pneumocystis carinii, and certain microsporidia.
• Therapeutic agents can be evaluated either alone or in combination with other agents
• Potential therapeutic agents can be evaluated for cytotoxicity and for efficacy against viral opportunistic agents such as Herpes Simplex viruses and Cytomegaloviruses.

In Vivo Efficacy Evaluations

• The following models are available:
  
  • C. neoformans is evaluated in a mouse model. Prolongation of survival and tissue colony counts are evaluated.
    
  • C. parvum can be evaluated in SCID mouse models or in a colostrum-deprived piglet model.
    
  • M. avium is evaluated in a beige mouse model. Mortality and colony forming units are evaluated.
    
  • P. carinii can be evaluated in immunocompromised rats or in SCID mice. Reductions in median cyst and trophozoite counts are evaluated.
    
  
  
• Compounds are evaluated for in vitro efficacy against the microbial strains used in the models prior to initiating in vivo studies
  
• Therapeutic agents can be evaluated either alone or in combination with other agents
  
• Both antimicrobial and immune-based therapies can be evaluated
• Potential therapeutic agents can be evaluated for cytotoxicity and for efficacy against viral opportunistic agents such as Herpes Simplex viruses, Cytomegaloviruses, and Papillomaviruses.

Accessing These Resources

• For further information regarding C. neoformans, C. parvum, M. avium, or P. carinii please contact Dr. Chris Lambros (phone: 301-402-2304; email: clambros@niaid.nih.gov).
• For further information regarding non-HIV viruses please contact Dr. Christopher Tseng (phone: 301-496-7453; e-mail: ct23i@nih.gov).