Anti-inflammatory Effects of Macrolide Treatment in Influenza Lower Respiratory Tract Infections

Summary

Influenza lower respiratory tract infection (LRTI) is a major cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. While viral replication can be suppressed by antiviral treatment, excessive inflammatory responses, which are increasingly recognized to contribute to severe influenza complications, remain unopposed. Macrolides have been used widely to treat community-acquired pneumonia, and shown to exert anti-inflammatory effects in other respiratory diseases, providing clinical benefits. In this randomized, open-label, multicenter study, we aim to investigate the anti-inflammatory effects of macrolide treatment in influenza LRTI. Its impacts on the cytokine response, viral clearance, symptoms and disease resolution will be studied. Such results may lead to the development of new therapeutic approaches against severe influenza infection, and provide better insights into disease pathogenesis.

Timeline

Start

2013-02

Primary completion

2016-04

Completion

2016-04

Publications

• Background Chan PK, Chan MC, Cheung JL, Lee N, Leung TF, Yeung AC, Wong MC, Ngai KL, Nelson EA, Hui DS. Influenza B lineage circulation and hospitalization rates in a subtropical city, Hong Kong, 2000-2010. Clin Infect Dis. 2013 Mar;56(5):677-84. doi: 10.1093/cid/cis885. Epub 2012 Oct 16.
• Background Chan PK, Lee N, Zaman M, Adisasmito W, Coker R, Hanshaoworakul W, Gasimov V, Oner AF, Dogan N, Tsang O, Phommasack B, Touch S, Bamgboye E, Swenson A, Toovey S, Dreyer NA. Determinants of antiviral effectiveness in influenza virus A subtype H5N1. J Infect Dis. 2012 Nov;206(9):1359-66. doi: 10.1093/infdis/jis509. Epub 2012 Aug 20.
• Background Lee N, Ison MG. Diagnosis, management and outcomes of adults hospitalized with influenza. Antivir Ther. 2012;17(1 Pt B):143-57. doi: 10.3851/IMP2059. Epub 2012 Feb 3.
• Background Lee N, Wong CK, Chan PK, Chan MC, Wong RY, Lun SW, Ngai KL, Lui GC, Wong BC, Lee SK, Choi KW, Hui DS. Cytokine response patterns in severe pandemic 2009 H1N1 and seasonal influenza among hospitalized adults. PLoS One. 2011;6(10):e26050. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0026050. Epub 2011 Oct 13.
• Background Lee N, Chan PK, Lui GC, Wong BC, Sin WW, Choi KW, Wong RY, Lee EL, Yeung AC, Ngai KL, Chan MC, Lai RW, Yu AW, Hui DS. Complications and outcomes of pandemic 2009 Influenza A (H1N1) virus infection in hospitalized adults: how do they differ from those in seasonal influenza? J Infect Dis. 2011 Jun 15;203(12):1739-47. doi: 10.1093/infdis/jir187.
• Background Lee N, Chan PK, Wong CK, Wong KT, Choi KW, Joynt GM, Lam P, Chan MC, Wong BC, Lui GC, Sin WW, Wong RY, Lam WY, Yeung AC, Leung TF, So HY, Yu AW, Sung JJ, Hui DS. Viral clearance and inflammatory response patterns in adults hospitalized for pandemic 2009 influenza A(H1N1) virus pneumonia. Antivir Ther. 2011;16(2):237-47. doi: 10.3851/IMP1722.
• Background Lee N, Choi KW, Chan PK, Hui DS, Lui GC, Wong BC, Wong RY, Sin WY, Hui WM, Ngai KL, Cockram CS, Lai RW, Sung JJ. Outcomes of adults hospitalised with severe influenza. Thorax. 2010 Jun;65(6):510-5. doi: 10.1136/thx.2009.130799.
• Background Hui DS, Lee N, Chan PK. Clinical management of pandemic 2009 influenza A(H1N1) infection. Chest. 2010 Apr;137(4):916-25. doi: 10.1378/chest.09-2344. Epub 2009 Dec 18.
• Background Lee N, Chan PK, Hui DS, Rainer TH, Wong E, Choi KW, Lui GC, Wong BC, Wong RY, Lam WY, Chu IM, Lai RW, Cockram CS, Sung JJ. Viral loads and duration of viral shedding in adult patients hospitalized with influenza. J Infect Dis. 2009 Aug 15;200(4):492-500. doi: 10.1086/600383.
• Background Lee N, Wong CK, Chan PK, Lun SW, Lui G, Wong B, Hui DS, Lam CW, Cockram CS, Choi KW, Yeung AC, Tang JW, Sung JJ. Hypercytokinemia and hyperactivation of phospho-p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase in severe human influenza A virus infection. Clin Infect Dis. 2007 Sep 15;45(6):723-31. doi: 10.1086/520981. Epub 2007 Aug 8.
• Background Lee N, Chan PK, Choi KW, Lui G, Wong B, Cockram CS, Hui DS, Lai R, Tang JW, Sung JJ. Factors associated with early hospital discharge of adult influenza patients. Antivir Ther. 2007;12(4):501-8.
• Lee N, Wong CK, Chan MCW, Yeung ESL, Tam WWS, Tsang OTY, Choi KW, Chan PKS, Kwok A, Lui GCY, Leung WS, Yung IMH, Wong RYK, Cheung CSK, Hui DSC. Anti-inflammatory effects of adjunctive macrolide treatment in adults hospitalized with influenza: A randomized controlled trial. Antiviral Res. 2017 Aug;144:48-56. doi: 10.1016/j.antiviral.2017.05.008. Epub 2017 May 20.

Drugs

Indications