Serum concentrations of clarithromycin and rifampicin in pulmonary Mycobacterium avium complex disease: long-term changes due to drug interactions and their association with clinical outcomes.

Background: Concomitant use of clarithromycin (CAM) and rifampicin (RFP) for the treatment of pulmonary Mycobacterium avium complex (MAC) disease affects the systemic concentrations of both drugs due to CYP3A4-related interactions. To date, however, there has been no report that investigates the long-term relationship between the drug concentrations, CYP3A4 activity, and clinical outcomes. Our aim was to investigate the time course of the drug levels in long-term treatment of subjects with pulmonary MAC disease, and examine the correlation of these concentrations with CYP3A4 activity and clinical outcomes.

Retrospective investigation of combination therapy with clarithromycin and levofloxacin for pulmonary Mycobacterium avium complex disease.

Background: Fluoroquinolones are often used for the treatment of refractory Mycobacterium avium complex (MAC) disease when the clinical efficacy of the recommended regimen, which includes clarithromycin (CAM), rifampicin (RFP), and ethambutol (EB), is insufficient. However, recent in vitro and in vivo studies have suggested that fluoroquinolones decreased the antibacterial activity of CAM when they were administered in combination. In this study, we retrospectively investigated the influence of the combination of CAM and levofloxacin (LVFX) on clinical outcomes for pulmonary MAC disease patients.

[Effect of osmolality on ion transport in Guinea pig airway epithelial cells].

Background: Increased osmolality of the airway surface fluid due to water loss associated with hyperventilation is considered to be a cause of exercise-induced asthma (EIA).

Aim: We investigated the influence of changes in osmolality on airway epithelial ion transport in guinea pigs.

Methods: We explored from measuring open circuit potential difference in challenge with hypertonic saline or mannitol.

Effects of long-term nasal continuous positive airway pressure on C-reactive protein in patients with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome.

Serum levels of C-reactive protein (CRP) were measured in 96 consecutive patients with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) before and after nasal continous positive airway pressure treatment. CRP levels only displayed significant correlations with body mass index (BMI) before treatment. No significant changes were observed in BMI and CRP levels after 9 months of treatment.

Isolated oculomotor nerve palsy in Churg-Strauss syndrome.

A 30-year-old man with bronchial asthma complained of horizontal diplopia. Partial oculomotor nerve palsy with restrictions of elevation and adduction, and mydriasis was observed in the left eye. Cranial magnetic resonance imaging demonstrated an infarct lesion in the territory of the left superior median mesencephalic branch of the posterior cerebral artery.