Effect of immune serum, an antibiotic, and a corticosteroid used alone or in combination on experimental leptospirosis in Mongolian gerbils (Meriones unguiculatus).

We studied the effects of immune sera, an antibiotic, and a corticosteroid used alone or in combination on leptospira infection in Mongolian gerbils (Meriones unguiculatus). The results suggest that the combined used of immune serum and corticosteroid (pledonizoron: PZ) inhibits the effects of serum and the marked effects of antibiotic (procaine penicillin-G: PC-G) on leptospirosis. PZ had no effects and rather shortened the survival period. PZ did not affect the effects of PC-G when used in combination. These results suggest that treatment of leptospirosis with corticosteroids requires special caution.