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Longitudinal Breath Sound Changes During Erythromycin Therapy in Paediatric Diffuse Panbronchiolitis
Katsuhito Iikura1,2, Hideshi Fujinaga2, Haruka Tokoro2
1Department of Pediatrics The Jikei University School of Medicine Tokyo Japan.
Respirology Case Reports
|July 29, 2026
Summary
Diffuse panbronchiolitis (DPB) is a rare childhood lung disease. Low-dose macrolide therapy improved symptoms and lung function, with breath sound analysis showing airway healing progression.
Area of Science:
- Pulmonology
- Pediatric Medicine
- Respiratory Medicine
Background:
- Diffuse panbronchiolitis (DPB) is a chronic inflammatory lung disease primarily affecting adults.
- DPB is uncommon in children, and its clinical progression is not well-documented.
Purpose of the Study:
- To describe the clinical course and treatment of DPB in a pediatric patient.
- To evaluate the utility of breath sound analysis in monitoring DPB treatment.
Main Methods:
- Case report of a 13-year-old girl diagnosed with DPB.
- Continuous electronic stethoscope recordings of breath sounds during treatment.
- Low-dose macrolide therapy administered.
Main Results:
- Clinical symptoms and pulmonary function improved with macrolide therapy.
- Breath sound analysis demonstrated resolution of coarse crackles, then continuous adventitious sounds.
- Healing progressed from peripheral to central airways, suggesting a minimum 6-month treatment duration.
Conclusions:
- Low-dose macrolide therapy is effective for pediatric DPB.
- Breath sound analysis offers objective insights into respiratory status and DPB pathophysiology.
- Extended treatment duration is likely necessary for optimal outcomes in pediatric DPB.
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