Review article
Clinical Aspects of Immunomodulatory Effects of Azithromycin in Chronic Lung Diseases
Srđan Banac
; KBC Rijeka
Abstract
Besides their known bacteriostatic activity, macrolides, including azithromycin, can reduce chronic inflammation and modulate immunity without impairing host response against infection. These immunomodulatory properties of macrolides have been increasingly used to treat chronic inflammatory airway diseases in children and adults. Low-dose, long-term therapy with azithromycin is now recommended and widely adopted for the treatment of cystic fibrosis and bronchiectasis. Macrolides are also being investigated and used to treat chronic neutrophilic airway infl ammation, often seen in patients with steroid-resistant asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. However, further clinical trials are required to identify groups of patients most likely to respond to such immunomodulatory therapy.
Keywords
asthma; azithromycin; chronic obstructive pulmonary disease; cystic fibrosis; immunomodulation; macrolides
Hrčak ID:
111752
URI
Publication date:
5.11.2013.
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