Beneficial response to macrolide antibiotic in a patient with desquamative interstitial pneumonia refractory to corticosteroid therapy

Chest. 2008 Jul;134(1):185-7. doi: 10.1378/chest.07-2786.

Abstract

Macrolide antibiotics have been shown to have a beneficial effect in a number of pulmonary conditions that are characterized by inflammation, including cystic fibrosis, asthma, and cryptogenic organizing pneumonia. We report the first case of desquamative interstitial pneumonia (DIP) showing a favorable response to treatment with clarithromycin. If confirmed, this observation would add DIP to the list of pulmonary disorders that are amenable to the beneficial antiinflammatory effects of macrolides.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adrenal Cortex Hormones / therapeutic use*
  • Anti-Bacterial Agents / therapeutic use*
  • Clarithromycin / therapeutic use*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Lung Diseases, Interstitial / diagnosis
  • Lung Diseases, Interstitial / drug therapy*
  • Macrolides / therapeutic use*
  • Middle Aged

Substances

  • Adrenal Cortex Hormones
  • Anti-Bacterial Agents
  • Macrolides
  • Clarithromycin