Clinical and immunological effects of azithromycin in Behçet's disease

J Oral Pathol Med. 2005 Jan;34(1):13-6. doi: 10.1111/j.1600-0714.2004.00265.x.

Abstract

Background: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of azithromycin on mucocutaneous manifestations, oral health and immune response in Behçet's disease (BD).

Methods: Eight BD patients with active mucocutaneous symptoms were treated with azithromycin for 4 weeks. Oral health, clinical manifestations and in vitro interleukin (IL)-12, interferon (IFN)-gamma, IL-10 and monocyte chemotactic protein (MCP)-1 responses were evaluated before and after treatment.

Results: The number of folliculitic lesions, healing time of oral ulcers and scores of plaque indexes (PLIs) were lower after azithromycin treatment (P<0.05). Scores of PLIs correlated positively with the healing time of oral ulcers (P=0.02). Although a trend towards increased stimulated IL-10 responses with azithromycin was observed, no statistically significant difference was found. Stimulated and unstimulated MCP-1, IFN-gamma and IL-12 responses were similar before and after treatment (P>0.05).

Conclusion: Azithromycin was observed to be effective in decreasing folliculitic lesions and fastening the healing time of oral ulcers in BD.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Azithromycin / therapeutic use*
  • Behcet Syndrome / drug therapy*
  • Colchicine / therapeutic use
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Immunosuppressive Agents / therapeutic use*
  • Male
  • Statistics, Nonparametric

Substances

  • Immunosuppressive Agents
  • Azithromycin
  • Colchicine