The Effect of Erythromycin on the Growth of <i>Rickettsia prowazekii</i> in the Body Louse (<i>Pediculus humanus corpori</i><i>s</i> L) and the Tick (<i>Ornithodoros moubata</i> Murray)

Abstract

Body lice (Pediculus humanus corporis L) and ticks (Ornithodoros moubata) that had been infected with Rickettsia prowazekii received varying doses of erythromycin. The anti-rickettsial activity of this drug was evaluated with regard to the determination of the numbers of surviving microorganism (LID₁₀₀) and the in vivo concentration of erythromycin in both arthropod hosts. Erythromycin was found to exert a rickettsiostatic effect in lice, whereas in ticks the drug at concentrations of 0.3–0.04 μg/mg body weight completely eliminated R. prowazekii.