Aust Vet J. 1997 Nov;75(11):818-21.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/94046
17
Amoxycillin as an alternative to
dihydrostreptomycin sulphate for treating
cattle infected with Leptospira
borgpetersenii serovar hardjo.
Smith CR, Corney BG, McGowan MR, McClintock CS, Ward W, Ketterer PJ.
Dayboro Veterinary Surgery, School of Veterinary Science, University of Queensland.

Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To assess the effect of amoxycillin treatment on urinary excretion of
leptospires from cattle infected with Leptospira borgpetersenii serovar hardjo. DESIGN: A
chemotherapy trial with controls. PROCEDURE: Fourteen heifers serologically negative to L
hardjo were inoculated with L hardjo via the conjunctival route and assessed for evidence of
infection by serological, fluorescent antibody and microbiological tests. Two injections (48 h
apart) of amoxycillin at a dose of 15 mg/kg were administered intramuscularly to seven
heifers 6.5 weeks after infection; the remaining heifers acted as untreated controls. Later,
these seven control group heifers were treated with a single dose of amoxycillin (15 mg/kg).
Samples of urine were collected before and after amoxycillin treatments; kidneys were
collected at slaughter, and examined by fluorescent antibody test and microbiological culture.
RESULTS: Leptospires were isolated from the urine of 11 of 14 heifers inoculated with L
hardjo. After treatment of six of these with two injections of amoxycillin, leptospires were not
isolated. Of the controls, four of the five initially leptospiruric heifers continued to shed
leptospires; after a single injection of amoxycillin, no leptospires were detected in the kidneys
of these four. CONCLUSION: Amoxycillin may be an acceptable alternative to
dihydrostreptomycin sulphate for the treatment of cattle infected with L hardjo.
PMID: 9404617 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/954482
Chemotherapy. 1976;22(6):372-80.

Treatment of human leptospira infections with semicillin (ampicillin) or with

amoxil (amoxycillin).

Mnnich D, Lakatos M.
Abstract

Ampicillin (Semicillin) and Amoxycillin (Amoxil) have a strong leptospirocidal

effect in vitro and also in vivo. We have tested these drugs on 28 patients
suffering from Leptospira infection. The patients generally received per os 3 g
Ampicillin (Semicillin) or 2 g Amoxycillin (Amoxil) per day over a period of 6 days.
In the groups treated with Ampicillin and Amoxycillin the average durations of
fever during the treatment were 1.6 and 1.2 days, respectively. In the first group
(Ampicillin) a 'second wave of fever' occurred in one case (5%) and in the second
group (Amoxycillin), in 0% (as compared to 22% after treatment with
benzylpenicillin). On the basis of our experiences, Ampicillin and Amoxycillin are
strongly recommended for the treatment of human Leptospira infections.

PMID: 954482 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]