Oligomer-nitroimidazole anti-infective conjugates

1. A method for treating Giardia intestinalis infection in a patient in need thereof, the method comprising administering a therapeutically effective amount of a compound having the following structure:

wherein:

(a) is 2 or 3;

each instance of R 1 is hydrogen;

each instance of R 2 is hydrogen;

R 3 is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, methyl and ethyl; and

(n) is an integer of from 3 to 7 inclusive.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein (a) is 2 and R 3 is selected from the group consisting of methyl and ethyl.

3. The method of claim 1 , wherein (a) is 2 and R 3 methyl.