Australian asthma sufferers may soon breathe easy, thanks to a UQ collaborative research project that looks at new antibiotic treatment.
The Asthma and Macrolides: Azithromycin Efficacy and Safety (AMAZES) study will trial the antibiotic azithromycin in sufferers across Brisbane, Newcastle, Adelaide and Perth.
UQ Professor of Respiratory Medicine John Upham said the antibiotic would not be used to target infections in asthma, rather it was thought azithromycin might reduce inflammation of the lungs in people with asthma.
“A small preliminary study of azithromycin suggested short term benefit in asthma, but this needs to be confirmed in a large number of people over a long period of time,” he said.
“This study is only being conducted in Australia, but could have a major impact on asthma treatment all around the world, especially for those people who don’t respond to standard treatment.”
The study for the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) involves UQ, The Princess Alexandra Hospital, Prince Charles Hospital, University of Newcastle, University of Adelaide and the Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital in Perth.
Professor Upham said asthma remained a significant health problem in Australia, with prevalence rates high by international standards.
He said even though asthma treatment in Australia had improved over the past 10 years, asthma was still a common problem that caused sleep disruption and significant absences from school and work.
“There were 402 deaths due to asthma in 2006, according to the latest report from the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare,” he said.
“It is important to conduct studies such as this one in order to continually improve asthma treatment.”
Media: Eliza Plant at UQ Communications (07 3365 2619)
