Evaluation of the Efficacy of Doxycycline, Ciprofloxacin, Levofloxacin, and Co-trimoxazole Using <i>In Vitro</i> and <i>In Vivo</i> Models of Q Fever
Katherine Clay, M. Gill Hartley, Stuart J. Armstrong, Kevin R. Bewley, Kacie N. Godwin, Emma Rayner, Julia Vipond, Mark S Bailey, Timothy P. Atkins, Isobel H. Norville
Abstract
methods (wax moth larvae and mouse models of infection). In addition, the schedule for antibiotic treatment has been evaluated, with therapy initiated at 24 h pre- or postchallenge. Both doxycycline and levofloxacin limited overt clinical signs during treatment in the AJ mouse model of aerosol infection, but further studies are required to investigate the possibility of disease relapse or incomplete bacterial clearance after the antibiotics are stopped. Levofloxacin was well tolerated and therefore warrants further investigation as an alternative to the current recommended treatment with doxycycline.