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Thin-layer chromatographic study of the metabolites of erythromycins in the Wistar rat.

The metabolites of erythromycin A, anhydroerythromycin A, N-demethylerythromycin A and erythromycin B in the Wistar rat were studied by thin-layer chromatography. In some experiments germ-free rats, rats with a cannulated bile duct and a gastrectomized rat were used. The erythromycins examined were shown to undergo two principal changes, N-demethylation and acid-catalysed degradation. It was demonstrated that the stomach and the liver are not the sole sites of acid degradation and demethylation of erythromycins, respectively. Erythromycin A gives three principal metabolites, anhydroerythromycin A, anhydro-N-demethylerythromycin A and N-demethylerythromycin A, and erythromycin A enol ether and N-demethylerythromycin A enol ether are present to a minor extent. 5-O-Desosaminylerythronolide A was also identified, suggesting the presence of an erythromycin glycosidase.

Animals↗

The effect of erythromycin on video capsule endoscopy intestinal-transit time.

BACKGROUND: Video capsule endoscopy (VCE) will fail to reach the cecum in 20% of patients within the 8-hour battery life. The use of prokinetics to improve VCE completion rates to the cecum remains unclear. The objective of this study was to determine whether erythromycin increases the completion rate of VCE to the cecum without adversely affecting image quality. METHODS: This was a prospective, randomized, single-blinded control trial at St. Vincent's Hospital, Melbourne, Australia. A total of 86 consecutive patients referred for VCE were considered for entry; 45 patients met the entry criteria. These 45 patients were prospectively randomized to no erythromycin (controls, n = 23) or 250 mg erythromycin (n = 22). Two gastroenterologists, who were unaware of which group the patients were randomized into, reported all VCEs. The number of VCEs that reached the cecum within the 8-hour study period, gastric emptying time (GET), and small-bowel transit time (SBTT) were calculated for each group. RESULTS: There was no significant difference in the number of VCEs that reached the cecum (32% failed to reach the cecum in the erythromycin group compared with 22% in the control group), GET, or SBTT between the two groups. Image quality was not adversely affected by the use of erythromycin. The dose and the preparation of erythromycin used in this study may have possibly had an effect on GET and SBTT. CONCLUSIONS: The use of erythromycin did not significantly increase the likelihood of the capsule reaching the cecum or affect the degree of visible peristalsis or the interpretation of capsule findings.

Administration, Oral↗

The post-antibiotic effects of rokitamycin (a 16-membered ring macrolide) on susceptible and erythromycin-resistant strains of Streptococcus pyogenes.

The post-antibiotic effects (PAEs) on susceptible and erythromycin-resistant strains of Streptococcus pyogenes (M phenotype and inducibly resistant) of rokitamycin and erythromycin were investigated in vitro using microbiological impedance measurement. Exposure of susceptible S. pyogenes strains to 1/4, 1/2, 1 and 2 MIC erythromycin and rokitamycin resulted in PAEs of rokitamycin in the same order of magnitude as those of erythromycin and that were dose dependent. The duration of rokitamycin PAEs in erythromycin-resistant S. pyogenes strains (M phenotype and those with inducible resistance) were comparable with those observed in susceptible strains. This was not the case for erythromycin. The investigation showed that a 16-membered ring macrolide such as rokitamycin has different PAEs from those of a 14-membered ring macrolide such as erythromycin. They also indicated that, as the PAEs of rokitamycin on the M phenotype and inducible resistant strains were comparable with those on susceptible strains, no re-evaluation of therapeutic dosing regimens was required.

Anti-Bacterial Agents↗

A kinetic study on the degradation of erythromycin A in aqueous solution.

The pH is a critical factor determining the rate of the degradation of erythromycin A in aqueous solutions. However, the kinetics of the acid- and base-catalyzed degradation is still uncertain. This study used a sensitive coulometric detection method to determine concentrations of erythromycin A and its degradation products. To determine the buffer-independent rate constants, sodium acetate (0.05-0.2 M) and Tris-HCl (0.1-0.5 M) were used in a pH range of 3.5-5.5 and 7.0-9.0, respectively. In acidic conditions, anhydroerythromycin A appeared to be produced directly through an internal dehydration of erythromycin A-6,9-hemiketal which simultaneously established an equilibrium with erythromycin A enol ether on the other hand. In weakly alkaline conditions, hydroxide ion appeared to catalyze the hydrolysis of the lactonyl ester bond of erythromycin A-6,9-hemiketal by the pseudo-first-order kinetics, and the C13 --> C11 translactonization and internal dehydration reactions subsequently occurred to form pseudoerythromycin A enol ether. We suggest here a predictive model for reasonable interpretation of the kinetics of erythromycin A degradation in aqueous solutions, in which the observed rate constant was expressed by the sum of the partial reaction rate constants for the acid- and base-catalyzed degradation of erythromycin A-6,9-hemiketal as a function of pH in a range of 3.0-10.0.

Anti-Bacterial Agents↗

Simultaneous determination of erythromycin propionate and base in human plasma by high-performance liquid chromatography-electrospray mass spectrometry.

An analytical method for simultaneous determination of erythromycin propionate and its active metabolite, erythromycin base, in human plasma by high-performance liquid chromatography-electrospray mass spectrometry (HPLC-ESI-MS) was developed and validated. Roxithromycin was selected as the internal standard. The samples were directly injected after simple deproteinized procedure only. The separation was achieved on a Johnson Spherigel analytical column packed with 5 microm C18 silica, employing acetonitrile -0.1% formic acid aqueous solution (50:50) as mobile phase. The quantification of target compounds was obtained by using a selected ion monitoring (SIM) at m/z 790.7 for erythromycin propionate, m/z 734.7 for erythromycin base and m/z 837.8 for roxithromycin. The correlation coefficients of the calibration curves were better than 0.997 (n=6), in the ranges from 2 ng/ml to 1 microg/ml, and from 1 to 10 microg/ml for erythromycin propionate and base. The method can provide the necessary sensitivity, precision and accuracy to allow the simultaneous determination of both compounds in a patient's plasma following a single administration of erythromycin stinoprate capsule (500 mg erythromycin base equivalent).

Calibration↗

A kinetic and dynamic study of oral alprazolam with and without erythromycin in humans: in vivo evidence for the involvement of CYP3A4 in alprazolam metabolism.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the possible involvement of CYP3A4 in the metabolism of alprazolam in vivo. METHOD: Twelve healthy male volunteers were randomly allocated to one of the two different treatment sequences, placebo-erythromycin or erythromycin-placebo, with an at least 6-week washout period between the two trial phases. Each volunteer received 400 mg erythromycin or matched placebo given orally three times a day for 10 days and an oral dose (0.8 mg) of alprazolam on the posttreatment day 8. Plasma concentration of alprazolam was measured up to 48 hours after the administration, and psychomotor function was assessed at each time of blood samplings with use of the Digit Symbol Substitution Test, visual analog scale, and Udvalg for kliniske undersøgelser side effect rating scale. RESULTS: Erythromycin significantly (p < 0.001) increased the area under the plasma concentration-time curves (200 +/- 43 versus 322 +/- 49 ng . hr/ml from 0 to 48 hours and 229 +/- 52 versus 566 +/- 161 ng . hr/ml from 0 hour to infinity), decreased the apparent oral clearance (1.02 +/- 0.31 versus 0.41 +/- 0.12 ml/min/kg), and prolonged the elimination half-life (16.0 +/- 4.5 versus 40.3 +/- 14.4 hours) of alprazolam. However, any psychomotor function variables did not differ significantly between the erythromycin and placebo trial phases. CONCLUSION: This study suggests that erythromycin, an inhibitor of CYP3A4, inhibits the metabolism of alprazolam, providing an in vivo evidence for the involvement of CYP3A4 in its metabolism. However, the kinetic change of alprazolam by erythromycin does not result in the pharmacodynamic change of this triazolobenzodiazepine, at least after single dosing.

Administration, Oral↗

Erythromycin improves the quality of EGD in patients with acute upper GI bleeding: a randomized controlled study.

BACKGROUND: The diagnostic and therapeutic value of EGD in patients with upper GI bleeding is often limited by the presence of residual blood or clots. When infused before EGD, erythromycin, a potent gastrokinetic drug, might improve the quality of EGD in patients with upper GI bleeding. The aim of this study was to assess the effect of erythromycin on the quality of the EGD in patients with acute upper GI bleeding. METHODS: Forty-one patients admitted to the intensive care unit because of acute upper GI bleeding were included in a randomized, endoscopist-blinded, controlled trial, comparing erythromycin (3 mg/kg intravenously over 30 minutes) to no treatment (control patients). EGD was performed 30 to 90 minutes after the end of the infusion. The primary study outcome was quality of EGD examination, as evaluated on a scale of 0 to 3, and the need to perform a second diagnostic EGD within the next 8 days. Secondary outcomes were efficiency of the endoscopic hemostatic therapy and intensity of esophagogastroduodenal contractions, as evaluated on a scale of 0-3. RESULTS: The characteristics of the patients and lesions found by EGD were similar in both groups. Quality of the EGD examination was significantly better in the erythromycin group (n = 19) compared with the control group (n = 22) (2.5 [0.8] vs. 1.5 [1.3]; p = 0.02). Three patients receiving erythromycin required a second EGD compared with 10 control patients (p = 0.089). Erythromycin did not interfere with the performance of EGD or the efficiency of hemostatic procedures. The intensity of gastroduodenal contractions was similar in both groups. No adverse event was observed. CONCLUSIONS: In patients with acute upper GI bleeding, infusion of erythromycin before endoscopy significantly improved the quality of EGD and tended to reduce the need for second-look endoscopy.

Endoscopy, Digestive System↗

Erythromycin stimulates gastric emptying after esophagectomy with gastric replacement: a randomized clinical trial.

UNLABELLED: Delayed gastric emptying after esophagogastrectomy can pose a significant early postoperative problem. Because erythromycin, which stimulates the gastric antral and duodenal motilin receptor, has been shown to significantly increase gastric emptying in patients with diabetic gastroparesis, we decided to evaluate its effect on gastric emptying after esophagogastrectomy. METHODS: Twenty-four patients (18 men and six women, age range 41 to 79 years, median 66 years) were randomized to receive either erythromycin lactobionate (200 mg in 50 ml normal saline solution intravenously) (n = 13) or placebo (50 ml normal saline solution intravenously (n = 11) 11 days after esophagogastrectomy (with pyloric drainage procedure). After erythromycin or placebo had been infused over a 15-minute period, patients ingested a solid meal (scrambled egg with bread) labeled with technetium 99m sulfur colloid (500 microCi) over approximately 15 minutes. Dynamic images of the stomach were then acquired over 90 minutes in the supine position by gamma imaging. Results were expressed as percentage of counts retained in the stomach (percent gastric retention) over time. RESULTS: There were no side effects of erythromycin. In the placebo group, the mean percent of radiolabeled meal retained in the stomach after 90 minutes was 88%, which was significantly greater than in the erythromycin group, 37% (p < 0.001). In addition, analysis of covariance demonstrated that the rate of gastric emptying (slope of the line) was significantly greater in the erythromycin-treated group than in the placebo group (p < 0.0001). CONCLUSION: Early satiety after esophagogastrectomy may be due to delayed gastric emptying and not due to a decrease in the gastric reservoir. Intravenous erythromycin significantly improves gastric emptying in patients after esophagogastrectomy by stimulating gastric motility.

Adult↗

Prevalence and phenotypes of erythromycin-resistant Streptococcus pneumoniae in Shanghai, China.

Bacterial resistance of Streptococcus pneumoniae against erythromycin and clindamycin and resistance phenotypes of erythromycin-resistant Streptococcus pneumoniae were investigated. The MICs of erythromycin and clindamycin against 345 strains of Streptococcus pneumoniae were tested with agar dilution method; the phenotypes of erythromycin-resistant Streptococcus pneumoniae were detected by double-disk test. One hundred and eighty-three and 171 of 345 (53.0% and 49.6%) of isolates had MICs > or =1 microg/ml for erythromycin and for clindamycin. Among erythromycin-resistant Streptococcus pneumoniae, the percentage of cMLS, iMLS and M phenotype was 90.3% (159/176), 5.7% (10/176) and 4.0% (7/176), respectively. The incidence of erythromycin-resistant Streptococcus pneumoniae is very high in Shanghai. The main phenotype is cMLS.

Child↗

Susceptibility of Legionella species to five antibiotics and development of resistance by exposure to erythromycin, ciprofloxacin, and rifampicin.

The minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) values of erythromycin, ciprofloxacin, ofloxacin, rifampicin, and clindamycin were determined for 56 strains of Legionella pneumophila (38 patient, 3 environmental, and 15 reference strains) and 37 strains of other Legionella species (7 patient, 2 environmental, and 28 reference strains) using the epsilon-test system on BCYEalpha agar plates. High-level resistance (MIC > or = 4 microg/mL) was found only for clindamycin (57%), with MIC values ranging from 0.25-32 microg/mL. Low-level resistance was found for erythromycin (18%) (0.5 < MIC < 8), ciprofloxacin (1%) (1 < MIC < 4), and clindamycin (40%) (0.5 < MIC < 4), but not for ofloxacin and rifampicin. MIC50 for the 45 Danish clinical Legionella strains were 0.25 microg/mL (erythromycin), 0.25 microg/mL (ciprofloxacin), 0.19 microg/mL (ofloxacin), below 0.016 microg/mL (rifampicin), and 4 microg/mL (clindamycin). Of the clinical isolates, 64% were resistant to clindamycin. There were no significant differences between the MIC50 values obtained for clinical and nonclinical Legionella strains. Selected susceptible strains were exposed to increasing concentrations of either erythromycin, ciprofloxacin, or rifampicin to select for resistance. Isolates resistant to erythromycin (MIC 0.75-32 microg/mL) or ciprofloxacin (MIC 2-3 microg/mL) could be selected by a two-step procedure. One single strain recovered from media containing 50 microg/mL of erythromycin had an MIC value higher than 256 microg/mL to erythromycin. In contrast, high-level resistance toward rifampicin with MIC > or = 256 microg/mL developed as a one-step phenomenon in several strains.

Anti-Bacterial Agents↗

Prediction of in vivo interaction between triazolam and erythromycin based on in vitro studies using human liver microsomes and recombinant human CYP3A4.

PURPOSE: To quantitatively predict the in vivo interaction between triazolam and erythromycin, which involves mechanism-based inhibition of CYP3A4, from in vitro studies using human liver microsomes (HLM) and recombinant human CYP3A4 (REC). METHODS: HLM or REC was preincubated with erythromycin in the presence of NADPH and then triazolam was added. alpha- and 4-hydroxy (OH) triazolam were quantified after a 3 min incubation and the kinetic parameters for enzyme inactivation (k(inact) and K('app)) were obtained. Drug-drug interaction in vivo was predicted based on a physiologically-based pharmacokinetic (PBPK) model, using triazolam and erythromycin pharmacokinetic parameters obtained from the literature and kinetic parameters for the enzyme inactivation obtained in the in vitro studies. RESULTS: Whichever enzyme was used, triazolam metabolism was not inhibited without preincubation, even if the erythromycin concentration was increased. The degree of inhibition depended on preincubation time and erythromycin concentration. The values obtained for k(inact) and K('app) were 0.062 min(-1) and 15.9 microM (alpha-OH, HLM), 0.055 min(-1) and 17.4 microM (4-OH, HLM), 0.173 min(-1) and 19.1 microM (alpha-OH, REC), and 0.097 min(-1) and 18.9 microM (4-OH, REC). Based on the kinetic parameters obtained using HLM and REC, the AUCpo of triazolam was predicted to increase 2.0- and 2.6-fold, respectively, following oral administration of erythromycin (333 mg t.i.d. for 3 days), which agreed well with the reported data. CONCLUSIONS: In vivo interaction between triazolam and erythromycin was successfully predicted from in vitro data based on a PBPK model involving a mechanism-based inhibition of CYP3A4.

Area Under Curve↗

An unusually large multifunctional polypeptide in the erythromycin-producing polyketide synthase of Saccharopolyspora erythraea.

Erythromycin A, a clinically important polyketide antibiotic, is produced by the Gram-positive bacterium Saccharopolyspora erythraea. In an arrangement that seems to be generally true of antibiotic biosynthetic genes in Streptomyces and related bacteria like S. erythraea, the ery genes encoding the biosynthetic pathway to erythromycin are clustered around the gene (ermE) that confers self-resistance on S. erythraea. The aglycone core of erythromycin A is derived from one propionyl-CoA and six methylmalonyl-CoA units, which are incorporated head-to-tail into the growing polyketide chain, in a process similar to that of fatty-acid biosynthesis, to generate a macrolide intermediate, 6-deoxyerythronolide B. 6-Deoxyerythronolide B is converted into erythromycin A through the action of specific hydroxylases, glycosyltransferases and a methyltransferase. We report here the analysis of about 10 kilobases of DNA from S. erythraea, cloned by chromosome 'walking' outwards from the erythromycin-resistance determinant ermE, and previously shown to be essential for erythromycin biosynthesis. Partial sequencing of this region indicates that it encodes the synthase. Our results confirm this, and reveal a novel organization of the erythromycin-producing polyketide synthase, which provides further insight into the mechanism of chain assembly.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Effect of erythromycin base on theophylline kinetics.

Because of several recent reports describing altered theophylline elimination in the presence of salts of erythromycin, the effect of a 10-day course of erythromycin base on theophylline kinetics was studied in eight healthy adult men. Theophylline (4 mg/kg) was given on four separate study days: (1) prior to starting erythromycin, (2) on the third day of erythromycin administration, (3) on the tenth day of erythromycin administration, and (4) 2 weeks after the course of erythromycin was completed. Mean theophylline kinetic parameter values on each of the 4 study days were: apparent volume of distribution (Vd), 0.466, 0.466, 0.472, and 0.470 1/kg; elimination half-life (t1/2), 7.4, 7.8, 8.5, and 7.0 hr; and total body clearance (ClB), 0.747, 0.723, 0.683, and 0.821 ml/min/kg. A maximum decrease of 20.7% in theophylline ClB was noted by the third study day. Two weeks after erythromycin was discontinued, the greatest increase in ClB observed was 45.7%. Differences in t1/2 and ClB between the third and fourth study days were statistically significant (p less than 0.05).

Adult↗

Metabolism of cytochrome P4503A substrates in vivo administered by the same route: lack of correlation between alfentanil clearance and erythromycin breath test.

Because there is considerable interindividual variation in both microsomal CYP3A4 activity and CYP3A4 substrate disposition, an established probe of in vivo CYP3A4 activity would represent an important advance in clinical practice. In a previous study, no correlation was found between the 14C-erythromycin breath test and urinary dapsone recovery ratio. However these drugs were administered by different routes, with the orally administered dapsone being exposed to presystemic metabolism by the gut and renal metabolism before the measurement of the urinary ratio. To overcome the variable of route of administration, the aim of this study was to determine whether the elimination of two intravenously administered CYP3A4 substrates (alfentanil and erythromycin) correlate. We compared the metabolism of alfentanil to its CYP3A4-dependent metabolite, noralfentanil, with the erythromycin breath test in 14 young healthy white men. No significant correlation was found between alfentanil metabolism and the erythromycin breath test: alfentanil clearance versus erythromycin breath test, r = 0.45, p = 0.1; partial metabolic clearance to noralfentanil versus erythromycin breath test, r = 0.35, p = 0.23. Because these two CYP3A4 substrates were administered by the same (intravenous) route, we conclude that differences in the route of administration do not explain the lack of correlation between the erythromycin breath test and other probes of CYP3A4 metabolism.

Adult↗

The effects of steady-state erythromycin and azithromycin on the pharmacokinetics of sildenafil in healthy volunteers.

AIMS: Sildenafil, an effective oral treatment for erectile dysfunction, is predominantly metabolized by the cytochrome P450 isozyme 3A4, which is inhibited by a number of the macrolide antibiotics. Therefore, two placebo-controlled, parallel-group studies were conducted to evaluate the effects of multiple doses of erythromycin and azithromycin on the pharmacokinetics, safety and tolerability of a single oral 100-mg dose of sildenafil. METHODS: In the erythromycin interaction study, 26 male volunteers (18--45 years of age) received open-label sildenafil 100 mg on day 1. Half received blinded erythromycin (500 mg) twice daily on days 2--6, and the other half received placebo. On day 6, all subjects received a second 100-mg dose of sildenafil. In the azithromycin interaction study, 24 male volunteers (19--33 years of age) received open-label 100 mg sildenafil on day 1. Half then received blinded azithromycin (500 mg) once daily on days 2--4, and the other half received placebo. On day 4, all subjects received another 100-mg dose of sildenafil. In both studies, blood samples were collected on the first and last study day for the analysis of plasma concentrations of sildenafil and its primary metabolite, UK-103,320. RESULTS: Repeated dosing with erythromycin caused statistically significant increases in the AUC and Cmax of sildenafil (2.8-fold and 2.6-fold, respectively) but had no effect on Tmax, kel or t1/2. A statistically significant 1.4-fold increase in the AUC of UK-103,320 was also observed, as well as a significant decrease in kel, resulting in an increase of about 1 h in t1/2. In contrast, repeated dosing with azithromycin caused no significant change in any pharmacokinetic parameter of either sildenafil or UK-103,320. Erythromycin, azithromycin and sildenafil were well tolerated; adverse events were mild and transient. No subject withdrew from either trial for any reason related to study drug. CONCLUSIONS: These results indicate that erythromycin modifies the pharmacokinetics of sildenafil by inhibiting its CYP3A4-mediated first-pass metabolism. Given these data, a lower starting dose of sildenafil (25 mg) may be considered for patients receiving erythromycin or other potent CYP3A4 inhibitors. Azithromycin did not affect the pharmacokinetics of sildenafil; therefore, no adjustment in dosage is necessary for patients receiving these drugs concomitantly.

Adult↗

Effect of the CYP3A4 inhibitor erythromycin on the pharmacokinetics of lignocaine and its pharmacologically active metabolites in subjects with normal and impaired liver function.

AIMS: The objectives of this study were: (i) to evaluate the effect of a cytochrome P450 (CYP) 3A4 inhibitor, erythromycin, on the pharmacokinetics of intravenous lignocaine and its two pharmacologically active metabolites, monoethylglycinexylidide (MEGX) and glycinexylidide (GX); (ii) to assess whether the effects of the erythromycin inhibitory action on lignocaine clearance and the results of the MEGX liver function test depend on liver functional status; and (iii) to determine the effects of both moderate and severe liver dysfunction on the disposition kinetics of lignocaine. METHODS: The study was carried out on 10 healthy volunteers, and 10 Child's class A and 10 class C cirrhotic patients, according to a double-blind, randomized, two-way crossover design. On day 1 of the investigation, all subjects received three oral doses of erythromycin (600 mg of the ethylsuccinate ester) or placebo, and two further doses on day 2. One hour after the fourth dose, subjects were given 1 mg kg-1 lignocaine intravenously. Timed plasma samples were then obtained until 12 h for determination of the concentrations of lignocaine, MEGX and GX. RESULTS: Erythromycin caused statistically significant, although limited, modifications of lignocaine and MEGX pharmacokinetic parameters. In healthy volunteers, lignocaine clearance was decreased from 9.93 to 8.15 ml kg-1 min-1[mean percentage ratio (95% CI), 82 (65-98)] and the half-life was prolonged from 2.23 to 02.80 h [mean percentage ratio (95% CI), 130 (109-151)]; MEGX area under the concentration-time curve from 0 h to 12 h was increased from 665 to 886 ng ml-1 h [mean percentage ratio (95% CI), 129 (102-156)]. Quantitatively similar modifications were observed in the two cirrhotic groups. GX concentrations were lowered in all study groups, although not to statistically significant extents. Erythromycin coadministration caused no appreciable interference with the results of the MEGX test. Only in patients with Child's grade C liver cirrhosis were lignocaine kinetic parameters significantly altered with respect to healthy volunteers. Thus, clearance was approximately halved, steady-state volume of distribution was increased, and terminal half-life was more than doubled. CONCLUSIONS: Although erythromycin only modestly decreases lignocaine clearance, it causes a concomitant elevation of the concentrations of its pharmacologically active metabolite MEGX. A pharmacodynamic study following lignocaine infusion to steady state appears necessary to assess the actual clinical relevance of these combined effects. The degree of liver dysfunction has no influence on the extent of the erythromycin-lignocaine interaction, whereas it markedly influences the extent of the changes in lignocaine pharmacokinetics. These findings indicate that no dose adjustment is needed in patients with moderate liver cirrhosis, whereas the lignocaine dose should be halved in patients with severe cirrhosis.

Adult↗

An action of erythromycin in the intestine that is not mediated via motilin receptors.

1. Erythromycin lactobionate caused a concentration-dependent inhibition of nerve-mediated contractions of the longitudinal muscle of the guinea-pig ileum, with a threshold for effect of 10-30 mumol/L. The non-antibiotic derivative of erythromycin ABT-229 had a similar effect, but was approximately 10-fold less potent. At a greater concentration (1 mmol/L), erythromycin also depressed the direct contractile effect of 10 mumol/L carbachol on the muscle. 2. Human/porcine motilin (up to 100 mumol/L) did not reduce the nerve-mediated contractions, although it did contract the muscle (threshold 30 mumol/L). Antagonists of motilin receptors (phe3leu13motilin, up to 1 mumol/L, and GM-109, up to 3 mumol/L) did not reduce responses to erythromycin. 3. Erythromycin contracted the longitudinal muscle of the rabbit duodenum, with a threshold concentration of 0.1 mumol/L and ABT-229 contracted this tissue at a threshold concentration of 0.01 mumol/L. Effects of both agonists were antagonized by the motilin receptor antagonists phe3leu13motilin (0.3 mumol/L) and GM-109 (1 mumol/L). 4. It is concluded that the site(s) at which erythromycin acts in the guinea-pig ileum is not a motilin receptor and that ABT-229 is selective for the motilin receptor in comparison with non-motilin erythromycin sites and is unlikely to act at the latter site in therapeutic doses.

Animals↗

A common clone of erythromycin-resistant Streptococcus pneumoniae in Greece and the UK.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the possible genetic relationship among erythromycin-resistant Streptococcus pneumoniae strains isolated in Greece and the UK. METHODS: During 1995-97, 140 S. pneumoniae strains were isolated from clinical specimens submitted to the microbiology departments of the two main children's hospital in Athens. All erythromycin-resistant strains were further studied with respect to the presence of genes encoding for the two major mechanisms of macrolide resistance, their serotypes, and pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) types, in comparison to a previously characterized UK erythromycin-resistant clone. RESULTS: Eleven of the 140 isolates (7.9%) were resistant to erythromycin; nine of these were susceptible to penicillin. Serotyping allocated seven, three and one isolates to serotypes 14, 19F and serogroup 6, respectively. The mefA gene was detected in seven isolates (five serotype 14 and two serotype 19F), ermB in two (one serotype 19F and the serogroup 6 isolate), whilst in the remaining two isolates no resistance gene could be detected by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Pulsed-field gel electrophoresis of genomic DNA showed that five Greek serotype 14 isolates belonged to the same chromosomal type as the serotype 14 erythromycin-resistant UK clone. CONCLUSIONS: The present study showed that erythromycin resistance among the S. pneumoniae isolates was mostly owing to the efflux mechanism and suggested a possible clonal spread of serotype 14 erythromycin-resistant S. pneumoniae strains between Greece and the UK.

Child↗