title: Azithromycin: an interim analysis.
abstract: Azithromycin, a novel azalide antibiotic structurally related to erythromycin, has been shown by in vitro studies to have similar activity to erythromycin against Gram-positive pathogens but additionally to have increased activity against some Gram-negative bacteria, notably Haemophilus influenzae. Azithromycin achieves excellent concentrations in tissues, polymorphonuclear leucocytes and alveolar macrophages, and has a prolonged tissue elimination half-life. These properties suggest that short-course, once-daily treatment regimens will be appropriate for a variety of bacterial infections, including those of the respiratory tract, skin and soft tissues. The results of a series of clinical trials using such a regimen are reviewed. It is concluded that azithromycin is clinically and bacteriologically effective in these indications and is well tolerated when compared with regimens using standard antibiotics.
authors.affiliation: Infectious Diseases Unit, Cameron Hospital, Windygates, UK.
authors.forename: A P
authors.initials: AP
authors.lastname: Ball
mesh_terms: D017963:Azithromycin; D001424:Bacterial Infections / Q000188:drug therapy; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D004917:Erythromycin / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000494:pharmacology; D006090:Gram-Negative Bacteria / Q000187:drug effects*; D006094:Gram-Positive Bacteria / Q000187:drug effects*; D006801:Humans; D008264:Macrophages / Q000378:metabolism; D009504:Neutrophils / Q000378:metabolism; D012141:Respiratory Tract Infections / Q000188:drug therapy; D014552:Urinary Tract Infections / Q000188:drug therapy
chemical_list: D004917:Erythromycin; D017963:Azithromycin