Amoeba

N-chlorotaurine (NCT) (Cl-HN-CH2-CH2-SO3Na)

• Amoebicidal effect
• Establishing the activity of this compound against protozoa
• NCT, the N-chloro derivative of the amino acid taurine produced by granulocytes and monocytes during the oxidative burst
• Long-lived oxidant that can be synthesised chemically and applied topically for treatment of infections
• Broad-spectrum microbicidal activity against bacteria, viruses, fungi and protozoa
• www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0924857910004164?via%3Dihub

Phase I and II clinical studies have revealed high tolerability and therapeutic effects

• Of regular applications of 55 mM (1%) NCT in the eye, sinuses, oral cavity, outer ear canal, skin ulcerations and urinary bladder
• Antimicrobial activity of NCT against bacteria , fungi, free-living amoebae
• Can be enhanced markedly by addition of ammonium chloride (NH4Cl)
• Owing to the formation of monochloramine (NH2Cl) in equilibrium by transfer of the active chlorine atom
• NH2Cl is more lipophilic than NCT and penetrates microorganisms more rapidly
• In viral conjunctivitis, addition of NH4Cl to NCT might be an advantage
• www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0924857910004164?via%3Dihub