Treatment of Experimental Syphilis in Rabbits with Streptomycin

Abstract

Two syphilitic rabbits were given 200 mg. of streptomycin daily. After 24 and 48 hrs. of therapy the darkfield examinations were positive and organ transfers were positive. In one instance the darkfield examination as well as organ transfer was negative after 72 hrs. of streptomycin. In the 2d animal, the dark-field examination at the end of 96 hrs. of therapy revealed non-motile spirochetes which took 120 days to cause syphilitic changes in 2 recipient rabbits. Popliteal transfers 6 months after therapy were negative for both animals. The Kahn test for syphilis showed a marked drop following treatment.