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Antibiotics for the treatment of asthma

Peter N Black1

  • 1Department of Pharmacology and Clinical Pharmacology, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand. pn.black@auckland.ac.nz

Current Opinion in Pharmacology
|April 17, 2007
PubMed

Insights

Persistent infections with Chlamydophila pneumoniae and Mycoplasma pneumoniae may worsen asthma. Macrolide antibiotics show potential for treating chronic asthma and acute exacerbations, but further research is needed.

Area of Science:

  • Respiratory Medicine
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Pharmacology

Background:

  • Chlamydophila pneumoniae and Mycoplasma pneumoniae infections are associated with asthma.
  • Persistent infections may exacerbate asthma severity.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the potential role of macrolide antibiotics in asthma management.
  • To explore the efficacy of macrolides in chronic asthma and acute exacerbations.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of studies investigating antibiotic use in asthma.
  • Analysis of evidence for macrolides versus beta-lactams in asthma treatment.

Main Results:

  • Beta-lactam antibiotics have not demonstrated efficacy in asthma treatment.
  • Several studies suggest macrolides may benefit chronic asthma and acute exacerbations.

Conclusions:

  • Macrolide antibiotics show promise for asthma treatment, but require further confirmation.
  • The exact mechanism of macrolide action in asthma (antimicrobial vs. anti-inflammatory) remains unclear.

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