Announcements: Cryptosporidiosis: Los Angeles Trial of Garlic Extract

SEARCH Alliance, a community-based research organization in
Los Angeles, is conducting a small, uncontrolled trial of
allicin, an oil derived from garlic, as a treatment for
cryptosporidiosis. The trial will enroll 25 patients and last
for three weeks, with five outpatient visits. Five patients
have already been enrolled.

According to the concept sheet from SEARCH Alliance, "the
primary objectives are to determine the safety of oral and
rectal administration of allicin, while monitoring the change
in symptomatology and character of stool specimens in
individuals with cryptosporidiosis." Allicin has shown
activity against many disease-causing organisms; this
exploratory trial was organized after anecdotal reports of
good results in two patients.

Entry criteria include symptomatic diarrhea, a positive stool
smear for cryptosporidia, and negative stool cultures for
salmonella, shigella, campylobacter, giardia, and ameba.

For more information, contact Mark Lazarin or Charles
Chesson, Ph.D., 213/930-8820.