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].