Abstract | BACKGROUND:
Macrolide antibiotics are highly active in vitro against B.burgdorferi, but have limited efficacy in the treatment of patients with Lyme Disease. As macrolides are less active at a low pH, their poor clinical activity might be due to localization of borrelia to an acidic endosome, and their activity improved by alkalinization of that compartment with hydroxychloroquine. MATERIAL/METHODS: RESULTS: Eighty % of patients had self-reported improvement of 50% or more at the end of 3 months. After 2 months of treatment, 20% of patients felt markedly improved (75-100% of normal); after 3 months of treatment, 45% were markedly improved. Improvement frequently did not begin until after several weeks of therapy. There were no differences among the three macrolide antibiotics used. Patients who had been on hydroxychloroquine or macrolide antibiotic alone had experienced little or no improvement. Compared to patients ill for less than 3 years, the onset of improvement was slower, and the failure rate higher in patients who were ill for longer time periods. CONCLUSIONS:
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Authors | Sam T Donta |
Journal | Medical science monitor : international medical journal of experimental and clinical research
(Med Sci Monit)
Vol. 9
Issue 11
Pg. PI136-42
(Nov 2003)
ISSN: 1234-1010 [Print] United States |
PMID | 14586290
(Publication Type: Journal Article)
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Chemical References |
- Anti-Bacterial Agents
- Enzyme Inhibitors
- Macrolides
- Hydroxychloroquine
- Clarithromycin
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Topics |
- Anti-Bacterial Agents
(therapeutic use)
- Borrelia burgdorferi
(metabolism)
- Clarithromycin
(therapeutic use)
- Enzyme Inhibitors
(therapeutic use)
- Humans
- Hydrogen-Ion Concentration
- Hydroxychloroquine
(therapeutic use)
- Lyme Disease
(drug therapy)
- Macrolides
(therapeutic use)
- Treatment Outcome
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