Bactericidal effects of co-amoxidav (amoxycillin clavnlanic acid) against a Legionella pneumophila pneumonia in the immnnocompromised weanling rat

To evaluate the activity of co-amoxiclav (amoxycillin/clavulanic acid) against Legionella pneumophila in vivo, a model of L. pneumophila pneumonia was developed in weanling rats rendered leucopenic by pre-administration of cyclophosphamide. Assessment of therapy was by lung bacterial counts and histological examination. Amoxycillin was ineffective in reducing bacterial counts in the lungs of infected rats, whereas erythromycin, the standard agent, was significantly more effective (P<0.01)