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Azithromycin in bronchiolitis obliterans complicating bone marrow transplantation: a preliminary study
M Khalid1, A Al Saghir, S Saleemi
1Section of Pulmonary Medicine, Dept of Medicine, King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Centre, PO Box 3354, Riyadh 11211, Saudi Arabia. mkhalid@kfshrc.edu.sa
The European Respiratory Journal
|March 2, 2005
Summary
Azithromycin shows promise in treating bronchiolitis obliterans (BO) after bone marrow transplantation (BMT). This antibiotic improved pulmonary function tests in patients with this serious noninfectious complication.
Area of Science:
- Pulmonology
- Pharmacology
- Hematology
Background:
- Bronchiolitis obliterans (BO) is a severe noninfectious complication post-allogeneic bone marrow transplantation (BMT).
- Azithromycin, a macrolide antibiotic, possesses anti-inflammatory properties that may benefit BO treatment.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the effect of azithromycin on pulmonary function tests (PFTs) in patients with BO following BMT.
Main Methods:
- PFTs were monitored in 153 post-BMT patients.
- Eight patients diagnosed with BO received azithromycin (500 mg q.d. for 3 days, then 250 mg thrice weekly for 12 weeks).
Main Results:
- Azithromycin treatment led to significant improvements in PFTs.
- Mean increase in forced vital capacity (FVC) was 410 mL (21.57% average improvement).
- Mean increase in forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1) was 280 mL (20.58% average improvement).
Conclusions:
- Azithromycin demonstrated a potential therapeutic role in managing bronchiolitis obliterans post-BMT.
- Further research is warranted to confirm the efficacy of azithromycin for BO treatment.