Effect of clarithromycin on chronic respiratory infection caused by Pseudomonas aeruginosa with biofilm formation in an experimental murine model

J Antimicrob Chemother. 2002 May;49(5):867-70. doi: 10.1093/jac/dkf013.

Abstract

Fourteen-membered macrolides (e.g. clarithromycin and erythromycin), but not 16-membered macrolides (e.g. josamycin), are effective in diffuse panbronchiolitis. However, there are no studies that have compared the effects of 14- and 16-membered macrolide antibiotics on biofilm formation. Treatment with high-dose clarithromycin (100 mg/kg) resulted in a significant decrease in the number of viable bacteria in an experimental murine model. Josamycin at a dose of up to 100 mg/kg had no effect on the number of viable bacteria in the lung. Our results may explain, at least in part, the clinical efficacy of 14-membered macrolide antibiotics in patients with chronic pneumonia caused by Pseudomonas aeruginosa.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Anti-Bacterial Agents / therapeutic use*
  • Biofilms / drug effects*
  • Chronic Disease
  • Clarithromycin / therapeutic use*
  • Josamycin / therapeutic use
  • Male
  • Mice
  • Microbial Sensitivity Tests
  • Microscopy, Electron, Scanning
  • Pseudomonas Infections / drug therapy*
  • Pseudomonas Infections / microbiology*
  • Respiratory Tract Infections / drug therapy*
  • Respiratory Tract Infections / microbiology*

Substances

  • Anti-Bacterial Agents
  • Clarithromycin
  • Josamycin