Steroids reduce inflammation in chronic mycobacterial lung infections without limiting antimicrobial defense
Researchers from Trinity College Dublin have discovered that the steroid dexamethasone can reduce inflammation in chronic lung infections without compromising the immune system's ability to fight bacteria. This could lead to new treatment protocols for nontuberculous mycobacterial (NTM) disease.
Why it matters
This finding offers a potential breakthrough in managing chronic lung conditions, which are currently difficult to treat due to the side effects of standard antibiotic regimens.
edited by Sadie Harley , reviewed by Alexander Pol
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Add as preferred source Credit: Pixabay/CC0 Public Domain Researchers from Trinity College Dublin and St. James's Hospital have shown that dexamethasone, a commonly prescribed anti-inflammatory steroid, can reduce harmful inflammation triggered by Mycobacterium avium without weakening the ability of human immune cells to control the infection.
The findings, published in the Journal of Infectious Diseases , suggest dexamethasone may offer a new adjuvant approach for better managing nontuberculous mycobacterial (NTM) disease.
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