Praktické lekárnictvo 3/2012

The use of immunomodulatory effects of macrolide antibiotics in medical practice

The immunomodulatory effects of macrolides are used in the treatment of chronic inflammatory airway diseases for over 20 years. In clinical practice, long-term treatment with low-dose macrolide antibiotics is recommended as a part of a comprehensive treatment of cystic fibrosis and sinobronchial syndrome both, in adults and in paediatric patients. The most significant effect of treatment is observed in respiratory tract colonization by Gram-negative bacteria that form biofilm. Adverse effects of such treatment are minimal, especially when using clarithromycin and azithromycin. The main risk of treatment is resistance, particularly ribosomal type. For further course of treatment and extension of the spectrum for indication it is essential that following clinical trials would lead to a closer characterization of the patients who have the highest probability of successful treatment.

Keywords: macrolides, clarithromycin, cystic fibrosis, resistance.