Treatment of Typhoid Carriers with Amoxycillin and in Combination with Probenecid

In 1972, 8 registered typhoid carriers and 1 carrier of Salmonella bareilly were treated with amoxycillin (Amoxil) and with Amoxil + probenecid in our department. All Salmonella strains were found to be sensitive to Amoxil. After continuous oral administration of Amoxil (3 g/day) and after giving Amoxil + probenecid (2 g Amoxil + 1 g probenecid daily), the mean value of Amoxil concentration in the bile was 19 and 46 μg/ml, respectively. On the basis of the observation period (7 months to date), 6 typhoid carriers and 1 carrier of Salmonella bareilly can be considered recovered. In 2 cases who underwent a cholecystectomy prior to the Amoxil treatment (‘short term treatment’ lasting 18 days), a bacteriological relapse was observed on the 12th and 18th day after treatment. Side effects or allergic manifestations were not observed. On the evidence of our observations, the ‘long-term treatment’ (lasting 35 days) of typhoid carriers with Amoxil (3 g/day) or with Amoxil + probenecid (2 g Amoxil + 1 g probenecid/day) is undoubtedly advisable.