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Clinical and Molecular Allergy
Published in: Clinical and Molecular Allergy 1/2004

Open Access 01-12-2004 | Review

Low-dose, long-term macrolide therapy in asthma: An overview

Authors: Umur Hatipoğlu, Israel Rubinstein

Published in: Clinical and Molecular Allergy | Issue 1/2004

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Abstract

Macrolides, a class of antimicrobials isolated from Streptomycetes more than 50 years ago, are used extensively to treat sinopulmonary infections in humans. In addition, a growing body of experimental and clinical evidence indicates that long-term (years), low (sub-antimicrobial)-dose 14- and 15-membered ring macrolide antibiotics, such as erythromycin, clarithromycin, roxithromycin and azithromycin, express immunomodulatory and tissue reparative effects that are distinct from their anti-infective properties. These salutary effects are operative in various lung disorders, including diffuse panbronchiolitis, cystic fibrosis, persistent chronic rhinosinusitis, nasal polyposis, bronchiectasis, asthma and cryptogenic organizing pneumonia.
The purpose of this overview is to outline the immunomodulatory effects of macrolide antibiotics in patients with asthma.
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Metadata
Title
Low-dose, long-term macrolide therapy in asthma: An overview
Authors
Umur Hatipoğlu
Israel Rubinstein
Publication date
01-12-2004
Publisher
BioMed Central
Published in
Clinical and Molecular Allergy / Issue 1/2004
Electronic ISSN: 1476-7961
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/1476-7961-2-4

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