Author/Editor		Tomažič, J; Kotnik, V; Simčič, S; Wraber, B
Title		In vivo interference of azithromycin with some human immune functions
Translated title		Vpliv azitromicina na nekatere humane imunske funkcije in vivo
Type		članek
Source		Zdrav Vestn
Vol. and No.		Letnik 63, št. Suppl 2
Publication year		1994
Volume		str. II-69-II-7
Language		eng
Abstract		Background. In vivo effects of a therapeutic dose of azithromycin on some human immune functions were studied thoroughly. Methods. The research was performed as a controlled double blind clinical trial comparing an azithromycin-treated group (n = 21) and a placebo-treated control group (n =10). Before and after the administration of azithromycin or placebo (starch), blood samples were taken and the following tests were done: phagocyte microbicidal test with Candida albicans, measurement of oxidative burst in polymorphonuclear leukocytes with luminol amplified chemiluminescence, proliferative lymphocyte responses to stimulation with pokeweed mitogen (PWM) and protein A (Prot A), and the amount of the soluble interleukin-2 receptors (sIL-2R). Results. The study showed that azithromycin had no influence on natural killing mechanisms, but it significantly increased the proliferative lymphocyte response to PWM (p = 0.016). Azithromycin also had no significant influence on lymphocyte response to ProtA, but it significantly elevated the amount of slL-2R production (p = 0.002). Discussion. Since natural phagocytic killing activity, appeared to be intact in azithromycin loaded cells, azithromycin may, together with normal mechanisms of the host's phagocytic cells, help to eradicate intracellular infections caused by sensitive microorganisms. According to the tests performed with PWM, Prot A and to the amount of slL-2R production, it is likely that azithromycin interferes with interactions between T cells and B cells resulting in stimulation of these cells. Conclusion. Azythromycin i s not damaging to the immune system in any way. On the contrary, it is possible that it even increases the activity of the immune system, which gives hope for the patients suffering from all kinds of immune insufficiency.
Descriptors		AZITHROMYCIN PHAGOCYTOSIS LYMPHOCYTES RECEPTORS, CYTOKINE ADULT CLINICAL TRIALS