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Requirements for intracellular accumulation and release of clarithromycin and azithromycin by human phagocytes.

Determination of clarithromycin (CL) and azithromycin (AZ) uptake by human polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNs), monocytes and alveolar macrophages showed that AZ achieved higher levels than CL. The uptake kinetics of AZ were time-dependent over an 18 h period, while those of CL were similar to erythromycin (ER) kinetics, with a maximum level of incorporation being obtained after a 60 min incubation. The accumulation of both drugs was influenced by extracellular antibiotic-concentrations, PMN viability, extracellular calcium, physiological environmental temperature and pH. The uptake was not modified by inhibitors of cell metabolism or activators of cell membranes. After removal of extracellular antibiotic, the release of AZ from PMNs was very slow: nearly 50% of the drug remained cell-associated after 24 h incubation. The efflux of this derivative was significantly enhanced when drug-loaded PMNs were stimulated by phorbol-myristate acetate (PMA). The kinetics of CL release indicated that this macrolide behaved like ER. Nevertheless, about 10% of the initial cell-associated antibiotic showed a prolonged retention. On the whole, these data suggest that diffusion through cell membranes and trapping into acidic compartments of PMNs are important events in CL and AZ uptake.

Anti-Bacterial Agents↗

Effect of subminimal inhibitory concentrations of azithromycin on adherence of Pseudomonas aeruginosa to polystyrene.

Pseudomonas aeruginosa forms a bacterial biofilm by producing alginate when it adheres to mucosa or various medical devices. In this study, the effect of subminimal inhibitory concentrations (subMICs) of azithromycin (AZM) on the biofilm formation and in vitro adherence to polystyrene of 14 wild-type P. aeruginosa strains was studied. A total of 35 P. aeruginosa isolates from clinical specimens were used. Glycocalyx production was determined by the tube method, and bacterial adherence to the wells of flat bottom polystyrene tissue culture plates was estimated by the spectrophotometric method. Compared to the control, the adherence ability to polystyrene was inhibited by incubation with subMICs of AZM in a dose-dependent manner. These results support the findings of other investigators suggesting that AZM in subinhibitory concentrations may be useful in the prevention or treatment of biofilm-associated infections due to P. aeruginosa.

Anti-Bacterial Agents↗

An ex-vivo pharmacodynamic study comparing bactericidal activity of amoxicillin/sulbactam, azithromycin, doxycycline and levofloxacin against Streptococcus pneumoniae.

We designed a 4-way crossover, ex-vivo pharmacodynamic study to compare the bactericidal rate of amoxicillin/sulbactam (AMX-SUL), azithromycin (AZM), doxycycline (DOX) and levofloxacin (LVX) against Streptococcus pneumoniae ATCC 49619. Six volunteers were randomized to receive alternatively a single tablet of the above drugs. Venous blood samples were obtained immediately before and at 2, 4 and 6 h after dose to perform time-kill studies and to determine antibiotic levels in serum. AMX-SUL was the only drug showing bactericidal activity with the sera obtained at every time after dose, as defined by a > or = 3-log10 cfu/ml decrease in the viable cell counts compared to the original inoculum after a 24-h incubation. AZM was only inhibitory at 2h after dose (i.e. a 1.3-log10 cfu/ml decrease in the viable cell counts) and proved bactericidal at 4 and 6 h post-dose. LVX proved bactericidal with the 2-h serum, was only inhibitory with the 4-h serum (e.g. a 1.5-log10 cfu/ml decrease) and was unable to avoid bacterial growth at 6 h post-dose. Bacterial growth was observed with DOX at every time after dose. This study may shed light on the understanding of breakthrough pneumococcal bacteremia during the course of oral therapy with AZM in patients with community-acquired nia (CAP), as well as the increasing treatment failures observed with LVX, and the selection of bacterial resistance during therapy reported with both drugs. It also provides the basis for a "warning signal" on the use of oral DOX and confirms the efficacy of AMX-SUL.

Adult↗

Reversible ototoxic effect of azithromycin and clarithromycin on transiently evoked otoacoustic emissions in guinea pigs.

The possible cochlear toxicity of systemically applied macrolides--erythromycin (ER), azithromycin (AZ) and clarithromycin(CL)--was investigated in guinea pigs by measuring transiently evoked otoacoustic emissions (TEOAEs). A single dose of 125 mg/kg intravenous (i.v.) ER caused no change in TEOAEs in guinea pigs (p>0.05), whereas AZ (45 mg/kg orally) and CL (75 mg/kg i.v.) reversibly reduced the emission response (p<0.05). The reversible reduction of TEOAE responses due to AZ and CL, which is in accordance with the clinical picture of AZ and CL ototoxicity, could likely be attributable to the transient dysfunction of outer hair cells. The present study reveals that at least one ototoxic effect of AZ and CL is on the inner ear. The results may also encourage planning clinical researches on TEOAE monitoring in patients receiving high doses of AZ or CL.

Administration, Oral↗

A randomized, placebo-controlled trial of monthly azithromycin prophylaxis to prevent sexually transmitted infections and HIV-1 in Kenyan sex workers: study design and baseline findings.

Our objectives were to describe the baseline findings of a trial of antibiotic prophylaxis to prevent sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and HIV-1 in a cohort of Nairobi female sex workers (FSWs). A questionnaire was administered and a medical examination was performed. HIV-negative women were randomly assigned to either one gram azithromycin or placebo monthly. Mean age of the 318 women was 32 years, mean duration of sex work 7 years and mean number of clients was 4 per day. High-risk behaviour was frequent: 14% practised anal intercourse, 23% sex during menses, and 3% used intravenous drugs. While 20% reported condom use with all clients, 37% never use condoms. However, STI prevalence was relatively low: HIV-1 27%, bacterial vaginosis 46%, Trichomonas vaginalis 13%, Neisseria gonorrhoeae 8%, Chlamydia trachomatis 7%, syphilis 6% and cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) 3%. It appears feasible to access a population of high-risk FSWs in Nairobi with prevention programmes, including a proposed trial of HIV prevention through STI chemoprophylaxis.

Adolescent↗

The potential role of azithromycin in the treatment of prophylaxis of toxoplasmosis.

Infection with Toxoplasma gondii is the most common parasitic infection worldwide with an estimated prevalence of 1-2 billion people. The risk of developing severe toxoplasmosis is higher for immunocompromised individuals and fetuses of mothers who have acquired a primo-infection. The current therapy of choice for toxoplasmosis is the synergistic combination of pyrimethamine and sulphadiazine. This therapy is highly effective but its use is complicated in immuno-compromised individuals due to adverse secondary effects. In addition, since pyrimethamine is potentially teratogenic, its use is not recommended during early pregnancy. Clindamycin, a lincosaminide, in combination with pyrimethamine has been shown to be an acceptable therapeutic alternative in patients who are unable to tolerate pyrimethamine plus sulphadiazine. In the search for new, effective compounds with less adverse or toxic effects, recent efforts have focused on the new macrolides and the azalides. Here, the results of the investigations and, in particular, the theoretical considerations for the potential use of azithromycin in the therapy of toxoplasmosis in immunocompromised individuals are reviewed.

AIDS-Related Opportunistic Infections↗

Steady-state intrapulmonary concentrations of moxifloxacin, levofloxacin, and azithromycin in older adults.

STUDY OBJECTIVE: To determine the steady-state, extracellular, and intracellular pulmonary disposition of moxifloxacin (MXF), levofloxacin (LEVO), and azithromycin (AZI) relative to that of the plasma over a 24-h dosing interval. DESIGN: Randomized, multicenter, open-label investigation. PATIENTS: Forty-seven older adults (mean [+/- SD] age, 62 +/- 13 years) undergoing diagnostic bronchoscopy. INTERVENTIONS: Oral administration of MXF, 400 mg, LEVO, 500 mg daily for five doses, or AZI, 500 mg for one dose, then 250 mg daily for four doses. BAL and venipuncture were completed at 4, 8, 12, or 24 h following the administration of the last dose. MEASUREMENTS AND RESULTS: Steady-state MXF, LEVO, and AZI concentrations were determined in the plasma, epithelial lining fluid (ELF), and alveolar macrophages (AMs). The concentrations of all three agents were greatest in the AMs followed by the ELF compared to the plasma. Plasma concentrations were similar to those previously reported with these agents. The mean ELF concentrations at 4, 8, 12, and 24 h were as follows: MXF, 11.7 +/- 11.9, 7.8 +/- 5.1, 10.5 +/- 3.7, and 5.7 +/- 6.3 micro g/mL, respectively; LEVO, 15.2 +/- 4.5, 10.2 +/- 6.7, 6.9 +/- 4.4, and 2.9 +/- 1.7 micro g/mL, respectively; and AZI, 0.6 +/- 0.4, 0.7 +/- 0.4, 0.9 +/- 0.5, and 0.9 +/- 0.7 micro g/mL, respectively. The AM concentrations at 4, 8, 12, and 24 h were as follows: MXF, 47.7 +/- 47.6, 123.3 +/- 126.4, 26.2 +/- 19.4, and 32.8 +/- 16.5 micro g/mL, respectively; LEVO, 28.5 +/- 30.2, 26.1 +/- 15.7, 28.3 +/- 12.6, and 8.2 +/- 6.1 micro g/mL, respectively; and AZI, 71.8 +/- 50.1, 73.8 +/- 75.3, 155.9 +/- 81.3, and 205.2 +/- 256.3 micro g/mL, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The intrapulmonary concentrations of MXF, LEV, and AZI were superior to those obtained in the plasma. The AM concentrations of all agents studied were more than adequate relative to the minimum concentration required to inhibit 90% of the organism population (MIC(90)) of the common intracellular pathogens (< 1 micro g/mL). These data indicate that attainable extracellular concentrations of AZI are insufficient to reliably eradicate Streptococcus pneumoniae, based on the agent's current minimum inhibitory concentration profile, whereas the mean concentrations of MXF and LEVO in the ELF exceed the MIC(90) of the S pneumoniae population. Moreover, MXF concentrations exceeded the S pneumoniae susceptibility breakpoint (1.0 micro g/mL) at all time points, while 2 of 15 concentrations (13%) failed to maintain LEVO concentrations above the breakpoint (2.0 micro g/mL) throughout the dosing interval.

Aged↗

[The evaluation of the efficacy of azithromycin and pyrimethamine used alone or in combination in the treatment of an experimental infection in mice by Toxoplasma gondii].

The efficacy of azithromycin and pyrimethamine in experimental infection of mice with Toxoplasma gondii was tested. Daily dosages of 200 mg/kg and 12.5 mg/kg, respectively, were given orally over a period of ten days. The medications were administered in combination or separately. The combined use of the drugs yielded better results, and a similar investigation using a cystogenic strain of the parasite will be conducted in a future study.

Animals↗

Clinical response of azithromycin as an adjunct to non-surgical periodontal therapy in smokers.

BACKGROUND: Antibiotic therapy can be used in very specific periodontal treatment situations such as in refractory cases of periodontal disease found to be more prevalent in smokers. This study was designed to determine the efficacy of azithromycin (AZM) when combined with scaling and root planing (SRP) for the treatment of moderate to severe chronic periodontitis in smokers. METHODS: Thirty-one subjects were enrolled into a 6-month randomized, single-masked trial to evaluate clinical, microbial (using benzoyl- DL-arginine naphthylamine [BANA] assay), and gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) pyridinoline cross-linked carboxyterminal telopeptide of type I collagen (ICTP) levels in response to SRP alone or SRP + AZM. At baseline, patients who smoked > or =1 pack per day of cigarettes who presented with at least five sites with probing depths (PD) of > or =5 mm with bleeding on probing (BOP) were randomized into the test or control groups. At baseline and 3 and 6 months, clinical measurements (probing depth [PD], clinical attachment loss [CAL], and bleeding on probing [BOP]) were performed. GCF bone marker assessment (Ctelopeptide [ICTP] as well as BANA test analyses) were performed at baseline, 14 days, and 3 and 6 months. RESULTS: The results demonstrated that both groups displayed clinical improvements in PD and CAL that were sustained for 6 months. Using a subject-based analysis, patients treated with SRP + AZM showed enhanced reductions in PD and gains in CAL at moderate (4 to 6 mm) and deep sites (>6 mm) (P <0.05). Furthermore, SRP + AZM resulted in greater reductions in BANA levels compared to SRP alone (P <0.05) while rebounds in BANA levels were noted in control group at the 6-month evaluation. No statistically significant differences between groups on mean BOP and ICTP levels during the course of the study were noted. CONCLUSIONS: The utilization of AZM in combination with SRP improves the efficacy of non-surgical periodontal therapy in reducing probing depth and improving attachment levels in smokers with moderate to advanced attachment loss.

Adult↗

Occurrence of levofloxacin, clarithromycin and azithromycin in wastewater treatment plant in Japan.

Residual pharmaceutical products in sewage and other water environments have recently become a serious social problem in advanced countries. Among these pharmaceutical products, antibiotics have attracted special attention due to their serious impact on the ecosystem and connections to the emergence of drug-resistant bacteria. Our research intended to develop a new method to analyse the three antibiotics estimated to be released out of the body in large amounts in Japan; levofloxacin (LVFX), clarithromycin (CAM) and azithromycin (AZM), and survey the state of pollution in the sewerage. The concentrations of the water-phase antibiotics LVFX, CAM and AZM were measured in each process of activated sludge process in six wastewater treatment plants. Liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (LC/MS/MS) was used to analyse solutions of the antibiotics after pretreatment with a solid phase extraction. The limits of quantification and the average recoveries for these antibiotics in the influent were 1.2 to 29 ng/L and 46 to 93%, respectively. In the influent, LVFX, CAM and AZM were detected at concentrations of 552, 647 and 260 ng/L, respectively, while their removal efficiencies were 42, 43 and 49%, respectively. Although the CAM and AZM concentrations decreased as the treatment progressed, it was shown that the LVFX concentration increased in activated sludge reactors in some cases. Despite differences in octanol-water partition coefficients among LVFX, CAM and AZM, their removal efficiency showed no major difference. This indicates that this removal phenomenon cannot be explained by simple adsorption by the activated sludge.

Anti-Bacterial Agents↗

[Software modeling for better understanding of pharmacokinetic-pharmacodynamic relationships: application to azithromycin in the treatment of streptococcal tonsillitis and in acute exacerbation fo chronic bronchitis]].

In order to illustrate the significance of pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic (PK/PD) parameters of azithromycin (AZM) in tonsillar and respiratory tract infections, we developed original simulation software. As area under the curve over 24 hours divided by the minimum inhibitory concentration (AUC24/MIC) and time over a 24-hour period that the drug concentration exceeds the MIC (t > MIC) are important predictors of the clinical efficacy of macrolides, our software calculates these indices for plasma, tonsil, epithelial lining fluid (ELF), lung tissue (LT) and alveolar macrophages (AM). For an MIC of 0.5 microgram.mL-1, after administration of AZM 500 mg daily for 3 days (tonsillitis) or AZM 500 mg on day 1 and 250 mg daily for the next 4 days (respiratory tract infections) to a 70 kg subject, PK/PD parameters are as follows: AUC24/MIC (h): 9.5 (plasma); 439 (tonsil); 57.5 (ELF); 439 (LT); 1354 (AM); t > MIC is 24 hours in all tissues. Our simulation model illustrates the following: (i) AUC24/MIC values are above the 25-30-hour threshold in S. pneumoniae infection; and (ii) tissue concentrations exceed the MIC for 6 days after the last dose in ELF and for more than 2 weeks in tonsils, LT and AM.

Anti-Bacterial Agents↗

Susceptibility of Chlamydia pneumoniae to azithromycin and doxycycline: methodological aspects on the determination of minimal inhibitory and minimal bactericidal concentrations.

An in vitro assay for measuring and comparing the efficacy of different antimicrobial agents against Chlamydia pneumoniae was developed. Azithromycin, a representative of the new azalide group of antibiotics, and doxycycline were evaluated with respect to their antibacterial effect and capacity for intracellular killing under different experimental conditions. For both study drugs, the minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimal bactericidal concentration (MBC) values increased significantly with longer bacterial preincubation time. The effect of different exposure times of antibiotics on the bacteria was also studied.

Anti-Bacterial Agents↗

Azithromycin failure in Mycoplasma genitalium urethritis.

We report significant failure rates (28%, 95% confidence interval 15%-45%) after administering 1 g azithromycin to men with Mycoplasma genitalium-positive nongonococcal urethritis. In vitro evidence supported reduced susceptibility of M. genitalium to macrolides. Moxifloxacin administration resulted in rapid symptom resolution and eradication of infection in all cases. These findings have implications for management of urethritis.

Adult↗

Activity of azithromycin (CP-62,993) and erythromycin against chloroquine-sensitive and chloroquine-resistant strains of Plasmodium falciparum in vitro.

Several antibiotics, including the macrolide erythromycin and the azalides azithromycin (CP-62,993) and CP-63,956, that inhibit protein synthesis on 70S ribosomes demonstrated antimalarial effects in vitro against two strains of Plasmodium falciparum, one sensitive to chloroquine and the other resistant. In 48-hr incubations, erythromycin was 10-fold less potent than the azalides against the chloroquine-resistant strain. Erythromycin and the azalides were essentially equipotent against the chloroquine-sensitive strain. An additive effect occurred with the azalides in combination with chloroquine against both strains, but this was not seen with erythromycin.

Animals↗

Antimalarial activity of azithromycin and erythromycin against Plasmodium berghei.

Several antibiotics that inhibit protein synthesis on 70S ribosomes, including the macrolide erythromycin, and the azalides azithromycin (ZITHROMAX) and CP-63,956, demonstrated antimalarial activity against two strains of Plasmodium berghei. In a four-day in vivo test, the azalides were 25-fold more potent than erythromycin against the chloroquine-sensitive P. berghei N strain, and displayed additive effects with chloroquine. This effect was not observed with the erythromycin-chloroquine combination. Against the chloroquine-resistant P. berghei MSU/RC strain, the azalides were 60-fold more potent than erythromycin. Additive effects were observed with azalide-chloroquine combinations against this strain, but these results were not significantly different from the erythromycin-chloroquine combination.

Animals↗

Maintenance therapy of melioidosis with ciprofloxacin plus azithromycin compared with cotrimoxazole plus doxycycline.

This is a report of a randomized, open, labeled study of the maintenance treatment of melioidosis using a combination of ciprofloxacin and azithromycin (Regimen A) for 12 weeks versus a combination of cotrimoxazole and doxycycline (Regimen B) for 20 weeks. The study was conducted at two tertiary-care hospitals in northeast Thailand. A total 65 patients were enrolled, 36 and 29, respectively, between August 1997 and July 1998. Subjects were randomly allocated to each arm of the trial, resulting in 32 treated under Regimen A and 33 in B. The main outcome was a culture-proven relapse in melioidosis. There were more relapses under Regimen A at 22% (7 of 32) than in Regimen B, 3% (1 of 33). The 19% difference in the rates was significant (95% confidence interval [CI]: 3% to 34%; exact P-value = 0.027). Based on our data, a combination of cotrimoxazole and doxycycline treatment for 20 weeks should be given further consideration as the maintenance therapy of choice for melioidosis.

Anti-Bacterial Agents↗

[A randomized comparative study of 3 days of azithromycin treatment and 10 days of cefuroxime treatment in exacerbations in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease].

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to prospectively evaluate the clinical and gasometric evolution and the side effects of two treatment schedules in the exacerbations of patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD): 500 mg/24 h of azithromycin (AZM) for three days versus 500 mg/12 h of acetyl cefuroxime (ACF) for 10 days. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Patients were randomized included into each therapeutic schedule. The patients were seen three times (days 1 and 4, and at 15-21 days) to evaluate clinical symptoms scores. Forced spirometry and arterial gasometry were performed the first and the last time the patients were seen. The number of patients requiring admission during follow up and the secondary effects of each antibiotic were quantified. RESULTS: A total de 50 patients were treated with AZM and 51 with ACF. The evolution of the symptoms was similar although with a trend to greater improvement in those treated with AZM. This improvement was significant for the characteristics of expectoration (p < 0.05). Functional and gasometric evolution was similar in the two schedules. Three patients treated with AZM required hospital admission, as did 5 treated with ACF. A greater number of secondary effects were observed in patients treated with ACF (18%) than in those receiving AZM (10%), with gastrointestinal side effects being the most commonly observed. CONCLUSIONS: Treatment with short schedule of AZM may have the same activity as longer schedule of ACF, with fewer secondary effects thereby suggesting that AZM may be an effective alternative in the treatment of exacerbations in patients with COPD.

Administration, Oral↗