Therapeutic and prophylactic effects of isometamidium chloride (Samorin) against the hemoflagellate Cryptobia salmositica in chinook salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha) and the effects of the drug on uninfected rainbow trout (O. mykiss).

A series of compounds (triphenylmethanes, thiazines, xanthenes, benzidines, phenanthridiniums, napthalamines, and diamidines) were screened for in vitro toxicity against Cryptobia salmositica. Isometamidium chloride (Samorin) was cryptobiacidal at low concentrations and was examined for therapeutic and prophylactic activities against C. salmositica in chinook salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha). An intramuscular dose (1.0 mg/kg) of Samorin 3 weeks post-infection significantly reduced the parasitemia in adult chinook. A higher dose (2.5 mg/kg) eliminated the infection in 30% of adult fish and parasitemias were significantly reduced in the remaining infected fish. Juvenile chinook treated with 1.0 mg Samorin/kg at 2-3 weeks post-infection survived, while 100% of untreated control fish died from cryptobiosis. The high dose (2.5 mg/kg) was lethal to small fish (98.93 +/- 12.09 g) and 50% died within 24 h of treatment, while all large fish (168.38 +/- 13.87 g) survived. Samorin (1.0 mg/kg) did not affect growth, food consumption, complement, or hematocrit values in uninfected rainbow trout (O. mykiss).