CLINICAL EVIDENCES ON THE ANTIVIRAL PROPERTIES OF MACROLIDE ANTIBIOTICS IN THE COVID-19 ERA AND BEYOND
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Date
2020-09-03
Authors
Poddighe, Dimitri
Aljofan, Mohamad
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
SAGE Publications
Abstract
Macrolides are a large group of antibiotics characterised by the presence of a macro-lactone ring of variable size. The
prototype of macrolide antibiotics, erythromycin was first produced by Streptomyces and associated species more than
half a century ago; other related drugs were developed. These drugs have been shown to have several pharmacological
properties: in addition to their antibiotic activity, they possess some anti-inflammatory properties and have been also
considered against non-bacterial infections. In this review, we analysed the available clinical evidences regarding the
potential anti-viral activity of macrolides, by focusing on erythromycin, clarithromycin and azithromycin. Overall, there is
no significant evidences so far that macrolides might have a direct benefit on most of viral infections considered in this
review (RSV, Influenza, coronaviruses, Ebola and Zika viruses). However, their clinical benefit cannot be ruled out
without further and focused clinical studies. Macrolides may improve the clinical course of viral respiratory infections
somehow, at least through indirect mechanisms relying on some and variable anti-inflammatory and/or immunomodulatory effects, in addition to their well-known antibacterial activity.
Description
Keywords
Type of access: Open Access, Macrolides, erythromycin, azithromycin, clarithromycin, respiratory syncytial virus, influenza, coronavirus, SARS-CoV-2
Citation
Poddighe, D., & Aljofan, M. (2020). Clinical evidences on the antiviral properties of macrolide antibiotics in the COVID-19 era and beyond. Antiviral Chemistry and Chemotherapy, 28, 204020662096171. https://doi.org/10.1177/2040206620961712