Mechanisms underlying the increase in mycobacterial infections in cystic fibrosis patients on azithromycin
- Correspondence to Dr Gareth Jones, ST5, Amanda Unit, Liverpool Heart & Chest Hospital, Thomas Drive, Liverpool L14 3PE, UK; garethhuw{at}doctors.org.uk
This study investigated the increased incidence of non-tuberculous mycobacterium (NTM) infections in cystic fibrosis (CF) patients on azithromycin. The authors were particularly interested in autophagia, a process whereby intracellular material is isolated into phagosomes and then destroyed by being fused with acid-rich lysosomes. It is disrupted by other macrolides and is crucial for the clearance of intracellular …
