Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 17, 2026
04:44
Imaging Features of Systemic Sclerosis-Associated Interstitial Lung Disease
Published on: June 16, 2020
Clarithromycin stops lung function decline in airway-centered interstitial fibrosis.
S Jouneau1, M Kerjouan, S Caulet-Maugendre
1Service de pneumologie, CHU de Rennes, Université de Rennes 1, Rennes, France. Stephane.jouneau@chu-rennes.fr
Respiration; International Review of Thoracic Diseases
|October 26, 2012
Summary
Airway-centered interstitial fibrosis (ACIF) may be stabilized by clarithromycin, a macrolide antibiotic. This finding offers a potentially safer treatment alternative for ACIF patients unresponsive to corticosteroids.
Area of Science:
- Pulmonology
- Pathology
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Airway-centered interstitial fibrosis (ACIF) is a rare lung disease.
- ACIF is characterized by airway-centric fibrotic lesions.
- Current treatments like corticosteroids are often ineffective, leading to high mortality.
Observation:
- A case study of a 44-year-old patient with ACIF is presented.
- The patient was diagnosed via surgical lung biopsy.
- Systemic corticosteroids failed to stabilize the condition.
Findings:
- The patient's ACIF was stabilized using clarithromycin, a macrolide antibiotic.
- This represents the first reported case of ACIF stabilization with clarithromycin.
- Macrolides may offer a less harmful alternative to corticosteroids and immunosuppressants.
Implications:
- Clarithromycin shows potential as a novel therapeutic agent for ACIF.
- Further clinical trials are needed to confirm the efficacy and anti-inflammatory effects of macrolides in ACIF.
- This could lead to improved treatment outcomes and reduced mortality for ACIF patients.
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