The interaction between congo red (CR) and amikacin (AMK) was studied by resonance Rayleigh scattering (RRS), frequency doubling scattering (FDS) and second-order scattering (SOS) combining with absorption spectrum. In a weak acidic medium, CR combined with AMK to form an ion association complex with the composition ratio of 1∶1 by electrostatic interaction, hydrophobicity and charge transferring effect. As a result, the new spectra of RRS, FDS, and SOS appeared and their intensities were enhanced greatly. The maximum wavelengths of RRS, FDS and SOS were located at 563 nm, 475 nm and 940 nm, and the scattering intensities were proportional to the concentration of AMK. These three methods have very high sensitivities, and the detection limits were 4.0 ng·mL(1 for RRS, 3.6 ng·mL(1 for FDS and 1.9 ng·mL-1 for SOS, respectively. At the same time, the methods have better selectivity. A new method for the determination of trace amounts of AMK with congo red by resonance scattering technique has been developed. The recovery for the determination of AMK in blood serum and urine sample was between 95.5% and 105.5%. In this study, the properties, such as enthalpy of formation, charge distribution and mean polarizability, were calculated by AM1 quantum chemistry method. In addition, the reaction mechanism and the reasons for the enhancement of scattering spectra were discussed.