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Effects of benzoyl peroxide and erythromycin alone and in combination against antibiotic-sensitive and -resistant skin bacteria from acne patients.

Topical formulations of erythromycin and benzoyl peroxide are popular and effective treatments for mild to moderate acne vulgaris. Use of the former is associated with resistance gain in both skin propionibacteria and coagulase-negative staphylococci, whereas use of the latter is not. We evaluated the efficacy of a combination of erythromycin and benzoyl peroxide against a total of 40 erythromycin-sensitive and -resistant strains of Staphylococcus epidermidis and skin propionibacteria in vitro. Using the checkerboard technique, five erythromycin resistant strains of Propionibacterium acnes were inhibited synergistically or additively by the combination. Complete mutual indifference was exhibited between the drugs against the remaining 35 strains. However, erythromycin resistant staphylococci and propionibacteria were inhibited by the same concentration of benzoyl peroxide as erythromycin-sensitive strains. These results suggest that, although the combination of erythromycin and benzoyl peroxide is not synergistic against the majority of erythromycin-resistant staphylococci and propionibacteria, the concomitant therapeutic use of both drugs should counteract the selection of erythromycin-resistant variants and reduce the number of pre-existing resistant organisms on the skin of acne patients.

Acne Vulgaris↗

Influence of erythromycin on the pharmacokinetics of ximelagatran may involve inhibition of P-glycoprotein-mediated excretion.

A pharmacokinetic interaction between erythromycin and ximelagatran, an oral direct thrombin inhibitor, was demonstrated in this study in healthy volunteers. To investigate possible interaction mechanisms, the effects of erythromycin on active transport mediated by P-glycoprotein (P-gp) in vitro in Caco-2 and P-gp-over-expressing Madin-Darby canine kidney-human multidrug resistance-1 cell preparations and on biliary excretion of melagatran in rats were studied. In healthy volunteers (seven males and nine females; mean age 24 years) receiving a single dose of ximelagatran 36 mg on day 1, erythromycin 500 mg t.i.d. on days 2 to 5, and a single dose of ximelagatran 36 mg plus erythromycin 500 mg on day 6, the least-squares mean estimates (90% confidence intervals) for the ratio of ximelagatran with erythromycin to ximelagatran given alone were 1.82 (1.64-2.01) for the area under the concentration-time curve and 1.74 (1.52-2.00) for the maximum plasma concentration of melagatran, the active form of ximelagatran. Neither the slope nor the intercept of the melagatran plasma concentration-effect relationship for activated partial thromboplastin time statistically significantly differed as a function of whether or not erythromycin was administered with ximelagatran. Ximelagatran was well tolerated regardless of whether it was administered with erythromycin. Erythromycin inhibited P-gp-mediated transport of both ximelagatran and melagatran in vitro and decreased the biliary excretion of melagatran in the rat. These results indicate that the mechanism of the pharmacokinetic interaction between oral ximelagatran and erythromycin may involve inhibition of transport proteins, possibly P-gp, resulting in decreased melagatran biliary excretion and increased bioavailability of melagatran.

ATP Binding Cassette Transporter, Subfamily B, Mem↗

Novel mechanism for plasmid-mediated erythromycin resistance by pNE24 from Staphylococcus epidermidis.

We describe an unusual type of erythromycin resistance (Emr) mediated by a plasmid designated pNE24 from Staphylococcus epidermidis. This 26.5-kilobase plasmid encodes resistance strictly to 14-membered macrolide antibiotics, erythromycin, and oleandomycin. Resistance to other macrolide-lincosamide-streptogramin B (MLS) antibiotics was not observed even after a prior induction stimulus with various MLS antibiotics. Plasmid pNE24 was found to express resistance constitutively and manifested a low to intermediate MIC (62.5 micrograms/ml) for erythromycin. The resistance gene, designated erpA, appears to mediate resistance by altering the permeability of the host cell for erythromycin, because the measured uptake of 14C-labeled erythromycin by strain 958-2 (containing pNE24) was lower than for the erythromycin-susceptible, isogenic strain 958-1. No inactivation of erythromycin in overnight broth culture supernatants could be detected. In addition, no significant loss in binding affinity between [14C]erythromycin and ribosome could be detected for ribosomes isolated from strain 958-2 relative to 958-1, indicating that pNE24 probably does not produce a modification of the bacterial ribosome. No other selectable marker was found associated with pNE24; however, a 60,000-dalton protein was present only in the membrane fractions of cells (958-2) containing pNE24 and may play a role in mediating resistance to erythromycin.

Bacterial Proteins↗

Erythromycin shortens neutrophil survival by accelerating apoptosis.

Erythromycin is reported to have an anti-inflammatory action, which may account for its clinical effectiveness in the treatment of chronic inflammatory diseases such as diffuse panbronchiolitis. To evaluate the anti-inflammatory action of erythromycin, we examined the survival of isolated neutrophils with and without erythromycin. Erythromycin shortened neutrophil survival in a dose-dependent fashion, with a maximum effect at 10 micrograms/ml [corrected] and above. Survival at 24 h was 63.4% in medium with 10 micrograms of erythromycin per ml compared with 82.7% in control medium (P < 0.01). This shortening of survival was brought about by acceleration of apoptosis, as evidenced by transmission electron microscopy. In a manner similar to that of erythromycin, other macrolide antibiotics, i.e., clarithromycin, roxithromycin, and midecamycin, also shortened neutrophil survival, but neither the beta-lactams ampicillin and cefazolin nor the aminoglycoside gentamicin affected their survival. Erythromycin increased intracellular levels of cyclic AMP (cAMP) to 150% of control levels in neutrophils. Forskolin, rolipram, and dibutyryl-cAMP, which are known to increase intracellular cAMP levels, also shortened neutrophil survival. H-89, an inhibitor of cAMP-dependent protein kinase A, partially blocked the survival-shortening effect of erythromycin. Our findings suggest that erythromycin shortens neutrophil survival at least in part through elevation of intracellular cAMP levels.

Apoptosis↗

Effects of topical erythromycin on ecology of aerobic cutaneous bacterial flora.

We have demonstrated previously that application of topical erythromycin, an antibiotic commonly used for the treatment of acne, results in an increased density of cutaneous erythromycin-resistant (Emr) coagulase-negative staphylococci; however, it is unknown if this increase results in an overall higher density of total cutaneous staphylococci or if upon cessation of erythromycin use, Emr coagulase-negative staphylococci remain at an increased density compared with the pretreatment density. To investigate this, 2% erythromycin or vehicle was applied to each subject's forehead (n = 225) twice a day by laboratory personnel for a period of 6 weeks. Samples were obtained for culture from the forehead, anterior nares, and back of the subjects at baseline and at weeks 6, 9, and 12 of the study. Cultures were performed on differential media. Plates into which erythromycin was incorporated (8 micrograms/ml) were used to identify Emr coagulase-negative staphylococci. The species of all Emr coagulase-negative staphylococci were determined, and an antibiogram for 16 antibiotics was obtained. The baseline prevalence of Emr coagulase-negative staphylococci on the forehead and nose was about 80% at the two study sites, whereas that on the back was 50%. The baseline density of Emr coagulase-negative staphylococci on the forehead, nose, and back was approximately 20% of the total flora. Following 6 weeks of erythromycin treatment, the prevalence of Emr coagulase-negative staphylococci on the forehead and nose was nearly 100% and the densities were 73 and 62%, respectively; the prevalence and density for the back were 78 and 42%, respectively. The most prevalent erythromycin resistance gene expressed by the Emr coagulase-negative staphylococci was ermC. There was no increase in the numbers of Staphylococcus aureus, gram-negative rods, or yeasts, nor was there increased resistance to any other antibiotic except clindamycin. The density of total aerobic organisms also remained static. There were no changes in the prevalence or density of Emr coagulase-negative staphylococci in the vehicle group. A statistically significant decrease in the prevalence and density of Emr coagulase-negative staphylococci in the erythromycin group was observed within 3 weeks posttreatment and by 6 weeks posttreatment, the prevalence and density returned to baseline values. These data demonstrate that the increased prevalence and density of Emr coagulase-negative staphylococci as a result of topical 2% erythromycin use are transient on both population and individual levels.

Administration, Topical↗

Susceptibilities of 228 penicillin- and erythromycin-susceptible and -resistant pneumococci to RU 64004, a new ketolide, compared with susceptibilities to 16 other agents.

The susceptibilities of 228 penicillin- and erythromycin-susceptible and -resistant pneumococci to RU 64004, a new ketolide, were tested by agar dilution, and the results were compared with those for penicillin G, erythromycin, azithromycin, clarithromycin, rokitamycin, clindamycin, pristinamycin, ciprofloxacin, sparfloxacin, trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole, doxycycline, chloramphenicol, cefuroxime, ceftriaxone, imipenem, and vancomycin. RU 64004 was very active against all strains tested, with MICs at which 90% of the isolates are inhibited (MIC90s) of 0.016 microg/ml for erythromycin-susceptible strains (MIC, < or = 0.25 microg/ml) and 0.25 microg/ml for erythromycin-resistant strains (MIC, > or = 0.5 microg/ml). All other macrolides had MIC90s of 0.03 to 0.25 and > or = 128 microg/ml for erythromycin-susceptible and -resistant strains, respectively. Among erythromycin-resistant strains, clindamycin MICs for 28 of 91 (30.7%) were < or = 0.125 microg/ml. Pristinamycin MICs for all strains were < or = 1.0 microg/ml. MIC90s of ciprofloxacin and sparfloxacin were 4.0 and 0.25 microg/ml, respectively, and were unaffected by susceptibility to penicillin or erythromycin. Vancomycin and imipenem inhibited all strains at < or = 0.5 and < or = 0.25 microg/ml, respectively. MICs of cefuroxime and cefotaxime rose with those of penicillin G. MICs of trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole, doxycycline, and chloramphenicol were variable but were generally higher for penicillin- and erythromycin-resistant strains. RU 64004 is the first member of the macrolide group which has low MICs for erythromycin-resistant pneumococci.

Anti-Bacterial Agents↗

Antibacterial effects of levofloxacin, erythromycin, and rifampin in a human monocyte system against Legionella pneumophila.

The antibacterial activities of levofloxacin, erythromycin, and rifampin against intracellular Legionella pneumophila L-1033, serogroup 1, were studied. In an in vitro system utilizing adherent human monocytes, L. pneumophila L-1033, a phagocytosis time period of 1 h, and antibiotic (levofloxacin, erythromycin, and/or rifampin) at 1 to 10 times the MIC, the CFU/ml values for the monocyte lysate were determined during 0- to 4-day time periods. The decrease in CFU/ml with levofloxacin at pH 7.4 was rapid, occurring within 24 h, and was drug concentration dependent (P < 0.01). The decrease in CFU with rifampin was first observed at 48 h (P < 0.01), while only a minimal decrease in CFU/ml was observed with erythromycin. Combination of levofloxacin and rifampin and of levofloxacin and erythromycin at ten times their MICs significantly decreased the CFU/ml value (P < 0.01), to the value attained by levofloxacin alone, while combination of rifampin and erythromycin did not. Removal of levofloxacin after 24 h of incubation resulted in regrowth of L. pneumophila L-1033, while a continued slow decrease in CFU/ml was seen following rifampin removal; CFU/ml values were unaffected by the removal of erythromycin. At 4 days, and even in assays performed following antibiotic removal, the CFU/ml value continued to be lower in the levofloxacin and rifampin assays than in the assays with erythromycin. Levofloxacin had a significantly higher bactericidal activity against L. pneumophila L-1033 than erythromycin or rifampin. In these assays, the addition of erythromycin or rifampin did not affect the antibacterial activity of levofloxacin.

Anti-Bacterial Agents↗

Resistance to erythromycin and telithromycin in Streptococcus pyogenes isolates obtained between 1999 and 2002 from Greek children with tonsillopharyngitis: phenotypic and genotypic analysis.

Since the late 1990s, the prevalence of erythromycin-resistant Streptococcus pyogenes has significantly increased in several European countries. Between January 1999 and December 2002, 1,577 isolates of S. pyogenes were recovered from children with tonsillopharyngitis living in various areas of Western Greece. Erythromycin resistance was observed in 379 (24%) of the 1,577 isolates. All erythromycin-resistant strains along with 153 randomly selected erythromycin-susceptible S. pyogenes isolates were tested for their antimicrobial susceptibility, resistance phenotypes, and genotypes. Representative isolates underwent emm gene sequence typing. Isolates with reduced susceptibility to telithromycin (MIC, > or = 2 microg/ml) were studied for multilocus sequence type, L22, L4, and 23S rRNA mutations. Of the total 379 erythromycin-resistant isolates, 193 (50.9%) harbored the mef(A) gene, 163 (43%) erm(A), 1 (0.3%) mef(A) plus erm(A), and 22 (5.8%) the erm(B) gene. Among the erythromycin-susceptible isolates, emm 1 (25%), emm 2 (12.5%), and emm 77 (12.5%) predominated. Furthermore, among the erythromycin-resistant isolates, emm 4 (30.6%), emm 28 (22.2%), and emm 77 (12.5%) prevailed. Resistance to telithromycin was observed in 22 (5.8%) of the erythromycin-resistant isolates. Sixteen (72.7%) of the 22 isolates appeared to be clonally related, since all of them belonged to emm type 28 and multilocus sequence type 52. One of the well-known mutations (T2166C) in 23S rRNA, as well as a new one (T2136C), was detected in erythromycin- and telithromycin-resistant isolates. High incidence of macrolide resistance and clonal spread of telithromycin resistance were the characteristics of the Greek S. pyogenes isolates obtained from 1999 to 2002.

Acute Disease↗

Accumulation in gram-postive and gram-negative bacteria as a mechanism of resistance to erythromycin.

Erythromycin was recovered in high yield after incubation with gram-negative bacteria. The cell-free protein-synthesizing preparation from gram-negative bacteria is equally as susceptible to the antibiotic as is that from gram-positive bacteria. Thus, neither destruction of erythromycin nor the absence of the step susceptible to the antibiotic plays an important role in the resistance mechanism of gram-negative bacteria. A 100-fold difference in accumulation of erythromycin between gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria was observed. This alone explains the resistance of gram-negative bacteria to erythromycin. Furthermore, data showed that the inhibition of growth is closely related to the accumulation of erythromycin. The concentration of intracellular erythromycin in gram-positive bacteria was found to be 44- to 90-fold greater than that of the extracellular medium. However, the antibiotic did not accumulate on the cell walls, nor was the accumulation energy-dependent. It is proposed that it takes place by the binding of erythromycin to the bacterial ribosomes, forming a very stable complex. The dissociation constants of erythromycin-Staphylococcus aureus complex and erythromycin-Bacillus subtilis complex were determined to be 1.1 x 10(-7) and 3.4 x 11(-7)m, respectively.

Azides↗

Randomised controlled study of oral erythromycin for treatment of gastrointestinal dysmotility in preterm infants.

AIM: To evaluate the effectiveness of oral erythromycin as a prokinetic agent for the treatment of moderately severe gastrointestinal dysmotility in preterm very low birthweight infants. METHODS: A prospective, double blind, randomised, placebo controlled study in a tertiary referral centre of a university teaching hospital was conducted on 56 preterm infants (< 1500 g) consecutively admitted to the neonatal unit. The infants were randomly allocated by minimisation to receive oral erythromycin (12.5 mg/kg, every six hours for 14 days) or an equivalent volume of placebo solution (normal saline) if they received less than half the total daily fluid intake or less than 75 ml/kg/day of milk feeds by the enteral route on day 14 of life. The times taken to establish half, three quarters, and full enteral feeding after the drug treatment were compared between the two groups. Potential adverse effects of oral erythromycin and complications associated with parenteral nutrition were assessed as secondary outcomes. RESULTS: Twenty seven and 29 infants received oral erythromycin and placebo solution respectively. The times taken to establish half, three quarters, and full enteral feeding after the drug treatment were significantly shorter in the group receiving oral erythromycin than in those receiving the placebo (p < 0.05, p < 0.05 and p < 0.0001 respectively). There was also a trend suggesting that more infants with prolonged feed intolerance developed cholestatic jaundice in the placebo than in the oral erythromycin group (10 v 5 infants). None of the infants receiving oral erythromycin developed cardiac dysrhythmia, pyloric stenosis, or septicaemia caused by multiresistant organisms. CONCLUSIONS: Oral erythromycin is effective in facilitating enteral feeding in preterm very low birthweight infants with moderately severe gastrointestinal dysmotility. Treated infants can achieve full enteral feeding 10 days earlier, and this may result in a substantial saving on hyperalimentation. However, until the safety of erythromycin has been confirmed in preterm infants, this treatment modality should remain experimental. Prophylactic or routine use of this medication for treatment of mild cases of gastrointestinal dysmotility is probably not warranted at this stage.

Double-Blind Method↗

Gastrointestinal motor effects of erythromycin.

We studied the small intestinal motor effects of oral and intravenous (iv) erythromycin in 10 conscious dogs. After control recordings with placebo, oral or iv erythromycin was given at 40% of the migrating motor complex (MMC) cycle. Recordings were made after administration until normal contractile activity had returned or 12 h postdrug administration. Low doses initiated a premature MMC. High doses, however, prolonged the MMC cycle length. Erythromycin reduced the MMC propagation velocity at all doses. Both oral and iv erythromycin induced amyogenesia. During this pattern, electrical control activity was obliterated in the proximal and destabilized in the distal small intestine. Erythromycin also increased the incidence of retrograde giant contractions (RGCs) and vomiting. These effects occurred within the first 2 h after oral and within the first 30 min after iv administration. The incidence of giant migrating contractions (GMCs) increased significantly from 5 to 12 h but not from 0 to 5 h after administration. The distance of origination of GMCs from the ileocolonic junction was significantly increased from 5 to 12 h. The amplitude ratio, duration, and velocity of migration of GMCs induced after erythromycin were similar to control values. Clusters of coordinated antral and duodenal contractions also occurred early after administration. Our findings suggest that erythromycin has multiple motor effects on the stomach and small intestine. Diarrhea, abdominal cramping, and vomiting associated with erythromycin may be related to increased incidence of GMCs and RGCs. Erythromycin has a biphasic effect on MMC cycle length, initiating premature MMCs at low doses and prolonging their cycle length at higher doses.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Administration, Oral↗

Erythromycin contracts rabbit colon myocytes via occupation of motilin receptors.

Erythromycin stimulates gastroduodenal motility via action on motilin receptors. We evaluated erythromycin as a colonic muscle motilin agonist using in vitro rabbit colon studies. Isolated myocytes contracted to erythromycin with a half-maximal effective concentration of 2 pM and peak shortening of 22.4 +/- 2.5% at 1 nM, which was superimposable with the response to motilin. 125I-labeled motilin binding to colon muscle homogenates was saturable and specific with a dissociation constant (Kd) of 0.39 nM and maximal binding (Bmax) of 41 +/- 3 fmol/mg protein. Motilin displaced specifically bound 125I-motilin, with a Kd of 0.31 nM. Erythromycin displaced 125I-motilin but was less potent, with an inhibitory constant of 84.0 nM. Bmax values from displacement studies were similar to the Scatchard data. Motilin receptor protection from alkylation by N-ethylmaleimide preserved contraction to motilin and erythromycin but not acetylcholine or cholecystokinin, whereas protection with erythromycin preserved contraction to motilin but not other agonists. In conclusion, erythromycin binds to colon muscle motilin receptors present in densities similar to reported values for the upper gut. Furthermore, erythromycin contracts colonic myocytes via specific action on motilin receptors. Thus erythromycin may have colonic motor-stimulating properties by action on motilin receptors.

Animals↗

Efficacy of erythromycin for postpyloric placement of feeding tubes in critically ill children: a randomized, double-blind, placebo controlled study.

BACKGROUND: Erythromycin enhances gastric emptying and has been suggested to facilitate nasoenteric feeding tube placement in adults. Our primary objective was to evaluate the effect of erythromycin on the transpyloric passage of feeding tubes in critically ill children, and second, to evaluate the effect of erythromycin on the distal migration of duodenal feeding tubes. METHODS: Seventy-four children were randomly assigned to receive erythromycin lactobionate (10 mg/kg) IV or equal volume of saline placebo 60 minutes before passage of a flexible weighted tip feeding tube. Abdominal radiographs were obtained 4 hours later to assess tube placement. If the tube was proximal to the third part of the duodenum, two additional doses of erythromycin/placebo were administered 6 hours apart. Those receiving additional doses had repeat radiographs 14 to 18 hours after tube placement. RESULTS: The number of postpyloric feeding tubes was similar in the erythromycin and placebo treated groups 4 hours after tube insertion (23/37 vs 27/37, p = .5). Of those with prepyloric tubes at 4 hours, none in the erythromycin group and 3 in the placebo group had the tube migrate to the postpyloric position by 14 to 18 hours (p < .05). Of those with postpyloric tubes proximal to the third part of the duodenum at 4 hours, additional doses of erythromycin did not cause more tubes to advance further into the intestine than did placebo (p = .6). CONCLUSIONS: Erythromycin does not facilitate transpyloric passage of feeding tubes in critically ill children. The distal migration of duodenal tubes further into the small bowel is also not enhanced by erythromycin.

Adolescent↗

Inhibitory effect of erythromycin on potassium currents in rat ventricular myocytes in comparison with disopyramide.

Disopyramide, a class Ia antiarrhythmic agent, has been reported to induce torsades de pointes (TdP) associated with excessive QT prolongation in electrocardiogram (ECG), especially when concomitantly administered with erythromycin, a macrolide antibiotic agent. In this study, we have evaluated the effects of erythromycin on action potential duration (APD) and potassium currents in rat ventricular myocytes in comparison with disopyramide. We have evaluated the relationship between in-vitro potassium current inhibition and in-vivo QT prolongation observed in a previous study. Action potentials and membrane potassium currents, including delayed rectifier current (I(K)) and transient outward current (I(to)), were recorded using a whole-cell patch clamp method in enzymatically-dissociated ventricular cells. Erythromycin and disopyramide prolonged APD in a concentration-dependent manner. Disopyramide (10-100 microM) and erythromycin (100 microM) led to increases in the APD at 90% repolarization level. Disopyramide reduced I(K) (IC50 = 37.2 +/- 0.17 microM) and I(to) (IC50 = 20.9 +/- 0.13 microM) while erythromycin reduced I(K) (IC50 = 60.1 +/- 0.29 microM) but not I(to). The observed prolongation of APD might be ascribed to the inhibition of potassium currents. Erythromycin produced the prolongation of APD and the inhibition of potassium currents with a lag time after addition of the drugs, which suggested that erythromycin might not reach potassium channels from outside the ventricular cells. The potency of disopyramide was almost equivalent under in-vitro and in-vivo conditions. However, potency of erythromycin in-vitro was far weaker than that in-vivo reported in a previous study, presumably due to a difference in the uptake of erythromycin into ventricular myocytes between in-vivo and in-vitro conditions. Therefore, when drug-induced risks of QT prolongation are to be evaluated, the difference of potencies between in-vitro and in-vivo should be taken into consideration.

Action Potentials↗

Erythromycin ethosomal systems: physicochemical characterization and enhanced antibacterial activity.

The rationale behind this work was that a permeation enhancing carrier could facilitate the transport of antibacterial molecules through the two biological barriers: stratum corneum of the skin and bacterial membrane/cell wall. To this end, erythromycin ethosomes (EE) were designed and characterized, and their antibacterial efficiency was evaluated in vitro and in vivo. TEM, CLSM, DLS, DSC and ultracentrifugation tests indicate that EE are small unilamellar soft vesicles encapsulating 78.6% erythromycin. The compositions were stable for at least one year at room temperature. In live/dead viability/cytotoxicity tests, EE systems were nontoxic to cultured 3T3 dermal fibroblasts. Susceptibility studies conducted on three bacterial strains (B. subtilis ATCC 6633, S. aureus ATCC 29213 and S. aureus clinically resistant to erythromycin) showed significantly larger inhibition zones for EE as compared to erythromycin in hydroethanolic solutions. Moreover, EE reduced erythromycin MIC as compared to control solution: from 2.5 to 1.25 microg/ml for S. aureus ATCC 29213 and from 12.5 to 5.0 microg/ml for clinically isolated resistant S. aureus strain. Ethosomal erythromycin applied to the skin of ICR mice inoculated with 10(7)cfu S. aurues ATCC 29213 resulted in complete inhibition of infection. On the contrary, when hydroethanolic solution of erythromycin was applied, deep dermal and subcutaneous abscesses developed within five days after challenge. On day seven, a similar number of S. aureus colonies (1.06x10(7) vs. 0.90x10(7) cfu/g tissue) were isolated from the untreated wounds or treated with hydroethanolic erythromycin. For these animals, histopathological examination showed necrosis, destroyed skin structures and dense infiltrates of neutrophils and macrophages. These findings show that ethosomes are efficient carriers for erythromycin delivery to bacteria localized within the deep skin strata for eradication of staphylococcal infections.

Animals↗

Primary renovascular effects of erythromycin in the rat: relationship to cyclosporine nephrotoxicity.

Erythromycin is known to exacerbate cyclosporine nephrotoxicity. This has been attributed to the potential of erythromycin to reduce the hepatic microsomal metabolism and clearance of cyclosporine. Erythromycin may also be nephrotoxic. We tested the hypothesis that erythromycin may have direct effects on the renal vasculature which are additive or synergistic with the effects of cyclosporine. Sprague-Dawley rats were administered graded doses of either erythromycin, 2.5, 5, 7.5, and 10 mg/kg BW/min i.v. over consecutive 10-min intervals; cyclosporine, 1, 2, 3, and 4 mg/kg BW/min i.v. over consecutive 10-min intervals; or both drugs simultaneously. In separate experiments, identical doses of erythromycin or cyclosporine were infused intravenously following acute unilateral renal denervation. Infusion of erythromycin led to an initial decline in arterial blood pressure whereas infusion of cyclosporine resulted in a dose-related increase in arterial blood pressure. Despite these different systemic effects, each drug alone produced a striking decrease in renal blood flow. This effect was more pronounced when the drugs were infused concomitantly. The reduction in renal blood flow occurred in an additive manner as a direct consequence of increased renal vascular resistance. Prior renal denervation did not modify the response to either erythromycin or cyclosporine. These results demonstrate that cyclosporine-induced vasoconstriction is exacerbated by erythromycin and suggest that the decline in renal function observed in patients coadministered these drugs may be due in part to additive renovascular toxicity.

Adult↗

Absorption of erythromycin from pediatric suspension in infants and children.

The absorption of erythromycin in infants and children was estimated after the administration of an erythromycin suspension. The subjects were divided into 3 age groups: 0-1 month, 1-6 months and 6 months-6 years. The absorption was lower in infants less than 1 month of age than in the older children. Erythromycin ethylsuccinate and erythromycin stearate were equally well absorbed in the fasting state in subjects 6 months-6 years of age. Administration of the drug at mealtimes considerably increased the absorption of erythromycin ethylsuccinate but had little effect on the absorption of erythromycin stearate. The absorption of erythromycin stearate in the fasting state was much lower than that of erythromycin ethylsuccinate in infants 1-6 months of age. None of the infants given erythromycin ethylsuccinate because of an outbreak of whooping-cough on the neonatal ward showed evidence of liver toxicity, nor did they develop symptoms of whooping-cough.

Child, Preschool↗

Comparison of microbiologic and high-performance liquid chromatography assays to determine plasma concentrations, pharmacokinetics, and bioavailability of erythromycin base in plasma of foals after intravenous or intragastric administration.

OBJECTIVE: To determine pharmacokinetics and bioavailability of erythromycin base after intragastric administration and erythromycin lactobionate after IV administration to healthy foals and to compare a microbiologic assay with a high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) method to determine plasma concentrations of erythromycin A. ANIMALS: 6 healthy foals that were 2 to 4 months old. PROCEDURE: Foals were given single doses of erythromycin (10 mg/kg of body weight, IV, and 25 mg/kg, intragastrically) in a crossover study. Venous blood samples were obtained at specific times after drug administration, and plasma was harvested for determination of erythromycin concentrations by microbiologic assay and a HPLC method Pharmacokinetic analysis of plasma concentration-time data was performed, and results derived from each method were compared. RESULTS: Concentration-time profiles for IV administration were best described by a two-compartment open model. Comparing pharmacokinetic data obtained by the 2 methods revealed substantial differences in results. Values for area under the plasma concentration-time curve and area under the first moment of the curve were substantially higher when determined by the bioassay, indicating overestimation of plasma concentration-time data by this method. The derived rate transfer constants (K21 and K(e)1) and mean residence time were significantly different, when determined by the bioassay. Systemic bioavailability of erythromycin base was low in all foals. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: The bioassay method overestimated plasma concentrations of erythromycin, compared with the HPLC method. Despite low systemic bioavailability of erythromycin base administered intragastrically, plasma concentrations of erythromycin exceeded, for at least 4 hours, the minimum inhibitory concentration of most Rhodococcus equi isolates.

Animals↗