New perspectives on macrolide antibiotics

Macrolides are not used exclusively for the treatment of community-acquired respiratory tract infections. Their ability to penetrate cells makes them highly suitable for the treatment of diseases caused by intracellular patho gens, such as non-gonococcal urethritis and trachoma. Azithromycin is appro ved for these indications. Clinical studies have also been conducted, or ar e currently being carried out, to assess the use of macrolides in the treat ment of atherosclerosis, eradication of Helicobacter pylori and the managem ent of life-threatening gastrointestinal diseases, cystic fibrosis and mala ria. (C) 2001 Published by Elsevier Science B.V. on behalf of the Internati onal Society for Chemotherapy.