Primary Ciliary Dyskinesia Improved by Clarithromycin

Abstract

Case. We encountered a 57-year-old woman whose chief complaint was dyspnea on effort. She had no history of infertility but had suffered from dysosmia since childhood. Chest computed tomographic images showed bronchiectasis. Electron microscopic examination of her bronchial mucosa biopsied by bronchoscopy showed a defect of the inner dynein arms in her cilia. We diagnosed primary ciliary dyskinesia. After treatment with clarithromycin, her symptoms, such as cough and sputum production, and her blood gas measurements, the results of respiratory function tests, and imaging findings all improved. Conclusion. Clarithromycin may be effective in patients with primary ciliary dyskinesia.