Title | Clarithromycin significantly improves interleukin-12-mediated anti-Mycobacterium avium activity and abolishes toxicity in mice. |
Publication Type | Journal Article |
Year of Publication | 1998 |
Authors | Bermudez, LE, Petrofsky, M, Wu, M, Young, LS |
Journal | The Journal of infectious diseases |
Volume | 178 |
Issue | 3 |
Pagination | 896-9 |
Date Published | 1998 Sep |
Keywords | Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha |
Abstract | Treatment of experimental murine Mycobacterium avium (MAC) infection with interleukin-12 (IL-12) significantly decreased MAC organisms in tissue but resulted in toxicity. Because IL-12-related toxicity was seen only in infected mice, IL-12 was combined with clarithromycin in an attempt to decrease bacterial burden. Clarithromycin (200 mg/kg/day) was administered alone to M. avium-infected mice for 1 week, and from week 2, IL-12 (20 microg/kg twice per week) was added to the regimen for 4 weeks. Treatment with IL-12 resulted in 60% mortality, compared with 40% mortality in untreated control mice and 20% when IL-12 was given with clarithromycin (P < .05). Clarithromycin plus IL-12 resulted in increased activity compared with either clarithromycin or IL-12 alone in reducing the number of bacteria in spleen and blood. Although potentially toxic, IL-12 is an effective immunotherapy for MAC infection, and combination with clarithromycin reduces IL-12 toxicity. |