Macrolides in respiratory tract infections

Macrolides are antibacterial agents, which acts by binding to the 50S ribosomal subunit of susceptible micro-organisms, thereby interfering with protein synthesis. Pharmacological and therapeutic use of these antibiotics were described in this paper. Efficacy of macrolides in respiratory tract infections is well established. Macrolides have broad spectrum of antibacterial activity against Gram-positive (Streptococcus pneumoniae, S. pyogenes, Staphylococcus aureus), Gram-negative (Moraxella catarrhalis, Haemophilus influenzae) and atypical pathogens (Chlamydophila pneumoniae, Chlamydia trachomatis, Mycoplasma pneumoniae, Legionella pneumophila, Ureaplasma urealyticum, Coxiella burnetii). Respiratory tract infections, pneumonia, chronic obstructive pulmonary lung disease were presented as the potential indications for treatment with macrolides. In relation to pharmacoeconomics aspects it was indicated that antimicrobial therapy requires maximizing therapeutic effectiveness while minimizing costs, with the primary on pharmacokinetic considerations.