[Azithromycin as a novel treatment for bronchiolitis obliterans syndrome].
Bronchiolitis obliterans syndrome (BOS) is one of the main causes of mortality after lung and bone marrow transplantation. Up to 75% of lung transplantation patients develop BOS within 5 years, whereas after bone marrow transplantation 14% of the patients develop the disease with 65% mortality within 3 years. Patients demonstrate gradual decrease in pulmonary functions with no significant anatomic/imagine findings. Therapeutic trials with high dose systemic corticosteroids, immune suppression and immunomodulation did not show any significant success. However, macrolides and especially azithromycin have recently been reported as highly efficient for BOS. This review summarizes information on the disease focusing on the clinical experience with azithromycin as a treatment for BOS.
Peled
Nir
N
Pulmonary Institute, Rabin Medical Center, Beilinson Campus, Petah Tikva. peledbn@zahav.net.il
Shitrit
David
D
Bendayan
Daniele
D
Kramer
Mordechai R
MR
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000995:Antitubercular Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D017963:Azithromycin / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001989:Bronchiolitis Obliterans / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006801:Humans; D014374:Tuberculin Test; D014376:Tuberculosis / Q000628:therapy
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D000995:Antitubercular Agents; D017963:Azithromycin