EFFICACY OF CLARITHROMYCIN FOR TREATMENT OF EXPERIMENTAL LYME-DISEASEINVIVO

Clarithromycin provided effective therapy against arthritis induced by Borrelia burgdorferi infection in the hamster. In vitro, clarithromyc in was at least 1 log more potent than tetracycline against two isolat es of B. burgdorferi from human sources, as measured by MICs and 50% i nhibitory concentrations. Clarithromycin was effective in preventing t he onset of B. burgdorferi-induced arthritis, as determined by several parameters of paw swelling. When administered after the onset of arth ritis, clarithromycin therapy reduced the degree of swelling and decre ased recovery time. These results suggest that clarithromycin has pote ntial as an effective therapy for Lyme disease.