In vitro susceptibilities of seven Leptospira species to traditional and newer antibiotics.

Human leptospirosis is generally treated with penicillin or doxycycline. We studied the susceptibilities of 11 serovars (seven species) of Leptospira to 14 antibiotics. With the exception of chloramphenicol, all tested agents were at least as potent as penicillin and doxycycline, with the macrolide and ketolide drugs producing the lowest MICs (and minimal bactericidal concentrations).