Successful use of azithromycin for Escherichia coli-associated renal allograft malakoplakia: a report of two cases

Eur J Clin Microbiol Infect Dis. 2021 Dec;40(12):2627-2631. doi: 10.1007/s10096-021-04270-x. Epub 2021 May 14.

Abstract

Malakoplakia is a chronic granulomatous disease associated with incomplete clearance of bacterial pathogens. A multimodal approach to therapy includes antimicrobials with intracellular activity, reduction in immunosuppression, and debulking of lesions. Azithromycin has an intracellular mechanism of action and enhanced Gram-negative activity compared to other macrolides. Despite some in vitro data to support its use, there are no clinical breakpoints or epidemiological cut-off values for most Enterobacterales from the European Committee on Antimicrobial Susceptibility Testing (EUCAST) or the Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI). We present two cases, previously unreported, of Escherichia coli associated renal allograft malakoplakia successfully treated with azithromycin.

Keywords: Enterobacterales; Enterobacteriaceae; Gram-negative; Macrolide; Treatment.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Allografts / microbiology*
  • Anti-Bacterial Agents / administration & dosage*
  • Azithromycin / administration & dosage*
  • Escherichia coli / drug effects
  • Escherichia coli / genetics
  • Escherichia coli / physiology
  • Escherichia coli Infections / drug therapy*
  • Escherichia coli Infections / microbiology
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Kidney Transplantation / adverse effects*
  • Malacoplakia / drug therapy*
  • Malacoplakia / etiology
  • Malacoplakia / microbiology
  • Microbial Sensitivity Tests
  • Middle Aged
  • Postoperative Complications / drug therapy*
  • Postoperative Complications / etiology
  • Postoperative Complications / microbiology

Substances

  • Anti-Bacterial Agents
  • Azithromycin