Comparison of Rifampicin and Moxifloxacin Efficacy in an Experimental Model of Animal Brucellosis

Abstract

Brucellosis is an important health issue in many parts of the world and clinicians are still seeking for better treatment choices. The aim of this study was to investigate the efficacy of moxifloxacin in an experimental brucellosis model and to compare its activity with rifampicin. Wistar albino rats infected with Brucella abortus were then randomized into 3 groups, which received rifampicin, moxifloxacin, and tap water, respectively. After 21 days, they were sacrificed and spleen, liver and blood cultures were performed. Spleen and liver cultures of all the animals yielded B. abortus in the control group, while these rates were 20% and 20% in the rifampicin group and 50% and 40% in the moxifloxacin group, respectively. The blood culture positivity was 66% in the control group and 10% in the moxifloxacin group. Blood cultures were all negative in the rifampicin group. As a conclusion, moxifloxacin might be an alternative choice in the treatment of brucellosis.

IFN-γ-deficient mice develop IL-1-dependent cutaneous and musculoskeletal inflammation during experimental brucellosis

“…To assess the effects of antibiotic treatment to halt Brucellainduced arthritis, mice with established inflammation were treated with rifampicin, which is effective at treating experimental models of brucellosis [45,46] and is used in conjunction with doxycycline for treatment of brucellosis in humans [9]. Rifampicin alone was effective at clearing infection, treating systemic symptoms of disease (weight loss/ruffling of the fur, etc.…”

“…To assess the efficacy of antibiotics to treat focal inflammation as a result of experimental brucellosis, IFN-␥ Ϫ/Ϫ mice (BALB/c background) were nasally infected with B. melitensis 16M and treated orally with rifampicin, starting 5 weeks after infection. Rifampicin was selected, as it can successfully treat experimental brucellosis [45,46] and is commonly used in combination with doxycycline to treat human brucellosis [47,48]. Doxycycline was not used in conjunction with rifampicin in this study, as it causes diarrhea and weight loss in mice [49].…”

Laboratory Animal Models for Brucellosis Research

“…Rats chronically treated with ethanol have an increased susceptibility to B. melitensis due to a decrease in protective cellular immunity [72]. The rat model has also been used to study the efficacy of various antibiotics for treating Brucella infection [74–76]. Sprague Dawley rats were used to evaluate the efficacy of spiramycin, a macrolide antibiotic, for treating brucellosis, since this drug has no teratogenic effect, and therefore it is safe for pregnant women [74].…”

Efficacy of moxifloxacin or gatifloxacin as prophylaxis against experimental murine Brucella melitensis infection

“…However, the likely efficacy of these antibiotics in vivo is unclear. The only known report of moxifloxacin evaluation in a rat model of brucellosis indicated that it may be an alternative choice for antibiotic treatment of brucellosis [6]. There is no known evaluation of gatifloxacin treatment of brucellosis in vivo.…”