title: Long-term azithromycin use for treatment of bronchiolitis obliterans syndrome in lung transplant recipients.
abstract: Short-term improvement in lung function was observed in 5 of 6 lung transplant recipients with bronchiolitis obliterans syndrome (BOS) who were treated with oral azithromycin. We assessed the long-term effect (mean duration 10 months) of treatment with oral azithromycin in 11 lung transplant recipients with BOS. Mean forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1) was 40 +/- 9% at initiation of azithromycin treatment, 39 +/- 10% after 1 month, 39 +/- 12% after 4 months, 38 +/- 10% after 7 months and 38 +/- 10% after 10 months, respectively (statistically non-significant for all data). We conclude that long-term administration with oral azithromycin does not reverse BOS in lung transplant recipients, but may slow progression of the disease.
authors.affiliation: Pulmonary Institute, Rabin Medical Center, Beilinson Campus, Petach Tikva, Israel.
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Shitrit
authors.forename: Daniele
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Bendayan
authors.forename: Sahar
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Gidon
authors.forename: Milton
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Saute
authors.forename: Ilana
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Bakal
authors.forename: Mordechai R
authors.initials: MR
authors.lastname: Kramer
mesh_terms: D000284:Administration, Oral; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D017963:Azithromycin / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001989:Bronchiolitis Obliterans / Q000188:drug therapy*; D018450:Disease Progression; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005541:Forced Expiratory Volume / Q000187:drug effects; D006801:Humans; D008168:Lung / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D016040:Lung Transplantation; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000188:drug therapy*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D017963:Azithromycin