3.3 – Antiviral in vitro and animal data
Azithromycin has shown in vitro activity against a wide variety of viruses (zika, Ebola, rhinovirus, enterovirus, influenza)[29–31]. The 50 % effective concentration (EC50) ranged between 1.23-6.59 µM depending on the virus, the cell analyzed and the multiplicity of infection (MOI)[24,30–32]. In infections caused by zika and rhinovirus azithromycin upregulated virus-induced Type I and III interferon responses reducing viral replication, suggesting that rather than its antiviral activity its immunomodulatory actions may be involved[31–35]. In mice with influenza A(H1N1) pre-treatment with azithromycin was associated with the blocking of internalization into host cells, leading to a reduction in viral load[36].