title: Azithromycin, Ureaplasma and chronic lung disease of prematurity: a case study for neonatal drug development.
abstract: Chronic lung disease of prematurity (CLD) remains a major cause of morbidity and mortality in preterm infants. Ureaplasma has received intermittent attention over the last two decades as a possible contributory factor. In addition, pulmonary inflammation is associated with the development of CLD. The macrolide azithromycin provides an attractive option to determine if it can decrease the development of CLD as it has both anti-inflammatory and anti-infective properties. In this article, the authors review the evidence for the role of Ureaplasma in the development of CLD and the obstacles faced in the development of a drug before it reaches clinical practice.
authors.affiliation: Department of Women's and Children's Health, Institute of Translational Medicine, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK.
authors.forename: Mark A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Turner
authors.forename: Evelyne
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Jacqz-Aigrain
authors.forename: Sailesh
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Kotecha
mesh_terms: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D017963:Azithromycin / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001997:Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000382:microbiology; D055808:Drug Discovery; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007234:Infant, Premature; D014509:Ureaplasma; D016869:Ureaplasma Infections / Q000188:drug therapy*
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D017963:Azithromycin