title: Intracellular activity of azithromycin against Mycobacterium avium complex in human macrophages.
abstract: In the concentration range examined (0.5-16 micrograms/ml) the azalide antibiotic azithromycin (CAS 83905-01-5, Zithromax) inhibited the growth of mycobacteria in macrophages over 7 days. The higher concentrations of azithromycin, 8 and 16 micrograms/ml, reduced the number of phagocytized bacteria in macrophages by at least 1 log unit within 4 days. The system used, macrophages from healthy volunteers, is suitable for testing the intracellular activity of drugs against the Mycobacterium avium complex.
authors.affiliation: Pfizer/Mack, Illertissen, Germany.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Wildfeuer
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Haberreiter
mesh_terms: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D017963:Azithromycin / Q000494:pharmacology*; D006801:Humans; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D008264:Macrophages / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000382:microbiology*; D015269:Mycobacterium avium Complex / Q000187:drug effects*
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D017963:Azithromycin