Protozoa infections are a worldwide health problem that preferentially
affects populations in underdeveloped countries. Plasmodium, Leishmania,
Trypanosoma, Toxoplasma, Neospora, Entamoeba and Trichomonas are some of the
most important genuses of protozoan parasites that infect and invade cells, tissues and
organs. These parasites proliferate, migrate and mutate to evade the chemotherapeutic
effects of drugs that were previously effective for their treatment. The use of metals and
metals complexes to control and treat these parasites, seems a very prominent
alternative. Palladium, platinum, ruthenium, antimonium, gold, iron and vanadium are
some of the metals that have been evaluated as antiprotozoal treatments with favorable
results. A review of the experimental effects of metal complexes on these parasites
follows, along with commentary.
Keywords: Antimonium, Gold, Leishmania, Metal treatments, Plasmodium,
Platinum, Palladium, Ruthenium, Toxoplasma gondii, Trypanosoma, Vanadium.
