Efficacy of azithromycin administration in prevention of respiratory tract infection after bronchoscopic biopsy: a randomized, controlled trial.

Abstract

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE:

Respiratory tract infection is a serious complication associated with bronchoscopic biopsy. This study attempted to examine its incidence and determine an efficacious therapy for preventing such infections.

METHODS:

Nine hundred and thirty patients who underwent bronchoscopic biopsy in Osaka City University Hospital outpatient clinic were enrolled in the study. All patients were randomly assigned to receive a 3-day course of azithromycin (500 mg/day), cefcapene pivoxil hydrochloride (300 mg/day) or no antibiotics. The primary outcome was the incidence of respiratory tract infection after bronchoscopic biopsy among the three groups.

RESULTS:

In the no-treatment group, nine of the 310 patients (2.9%) had respiratory tract infection after bronchoscopic biopsy. All patients with infection had abnormal bronchoscopic findings. Of the patients with respiratory tract infection, 60% were in the no-treatment group, 26.7% in the cefcapene group and 13.3% in the azithromycin group. Although not statistically significant, the incidence in the azithromycin group (0.7%) was lower than in the no-treatment group (P = 0.06). Among the patients with abnormal bronchoscopic findings, the incidence in the azithromycin group was significantly lower than that in the no-treatment group (3.0% vs. 14.8%; P = 0.02). Moreover, maximum C-reactive protein values also appeared to be lower in the azithromycin group than in the no-treatment group and the cefcapene group.

CONCLUSIONS:

A 3-day course of azithromycin administration is well tolerated and effective in preventing infection post bronchoscopy.

• Authors: Hiroshi Kanazawa
• Journal: Respirology (Carlton, Vic.) (Respirology) Vol. 12 Issue 1 Pg. 70-5 (Jan 2007) ISSN: 1323-7799 [Print] Australia
• PMID: 17207028 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Randomized Controlled Trial, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)

Chemical References

• Anti-Bacterial Agents
• Azithromycin

Topics

• Adult
• Aged
• Anti-Bacterial Agents (therapeutic use)
• Azithromycin (therapeutic use)
• Biopsy (adverse effects, methods)
• Bronchoscopy (adverse effects)
• Female
• Follow-Up Studies
• Humans
• Incidence
• Male
• Middle Aged
• Respiratory Tract Infections (epidemiology, etiology, prevention & control)
• Retrospective Studies
• Staphylococcal Infections (epidemiology, etiology, prevention & control)
• Treatment Outcome