Heidary M, Ebrahimi Samangani A, Kargari A, Kiani Nejad A, Yashmi I, Motahar M, Taki E, Khoshnood S. Mechanism of action, resistance, synergism, and clinical implications of azithromycin.
J Clin Lab Anal 2022;
36:e24427. [PMID:
35447019 PMCID:
PMC9169196 DOI:
10.1002/jcla.24427]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2022] [Revised: 03/20/2022] [Accepted: 03/24/2022] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Background
Azithromycin (AZM), sold under the name Zithromax, is classified as a macrolide. It has many benefits due to its immunomodulatory, anti‐inflammatory, and antibacterial effects. This review aims to study different clinical and biochemisterial aspects and properties of this drug which has a priority based on literature published worldwide.
Methods
Several databases including Web of Science, Google Scholar, PubMed, and Scopus were searched to obtain the relevant studies.
Results
AZM mechanism of action including the inhibition of bacterial protein synthesis, inhibition of proinflammatory cytokine production, inhibition of neutrophil infestation, and macrophage polarization alteration, gives it the ability to act against a wide range of microorganisms. Resistant organisms are spreading and being developed because of the irrational use of the drug in the case of dose and duration. AZM shows synergistic effects with other drugs against a variety of organisms. This macrolide is considered a valuable antimicrobial agent because of its use as a treatment for a vast range of diseases such as asthma, bronchiolitis, COPD, cystic fibrosis, enteric infections, STIs, and periodontal infections.
Conclusions
Our study shows an increasing global prevalence of AZM resistance. Thus, synergistic combinations are recommended to treat different pathogens. Moreover, continuous monitoring of AZM resistance by registry centers and the development of more rapid diagnostic assays are urgently needed.
Collapse