Metronidazole Radical Anion Generation in vivo in Trichomonas vaginalis: Oxygen Quenching is Enhanced in a Drug-resistant Strain

Publisher Website
Google Scholar
Abstract
The nitro radical-anion of metronidazole was detected in vivo in the sexually transmitted human parasite, T. vaginalis, under anaerobic conditions by ESR spectrometry. Exposure of organisms to O2 decreased the intensity of the radical signal in both metronidazole-sensitive ATCC strain 30001 and in the metronidazole-resistant strain 85. The sensitive strain still gave radical signals at partial pressures of O2 (> 6 kiloPascals) sufficient to remove all detectable radicals from the resistant strain. The resistant strain evidently has defective O2 scavenging system(s).