A part of participants has reported an overall progress in their condition with no patients citing any worsening. The best result was approximately 80% improvement compared to the pre-CFS condition experienced by the patient, which is far superior to the results observed in the placebo group of the study. Although, none of the participants was considered as totally cured this is regarded as a major success if compared to other treatments used in previous CFS studies.

These results look very promising regarding the potential influence of antibiotics on the Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. But how can an antibiotic drug affect this condition? First of all, not any antibiotic has such ability. CFS is generally influenced by the patient’s high susceptibility to bacterial infections that affect the immune system and the overall performance of the organism. Thus an antibiotic should be able to both kill bacteria or prevent it from multiplying and stimulate the development of immune cells in the organism. Some specialists also tend to make a link between CFS and dysfunctions in the cellular energy productions, which can often be traced by a higher level of acetylcarnitine in the blood.

Previous clinical experiments regarding CFS have used other potential treatments, such as delivering more acetylcarnitine to the cells, which is believed to be involved in the process of oxidation (energy production). But none of the treatments was sufficiently effective. The patients taking part in the latest study with the use of antibiotics were also participants in these previous studies, looking for a way to improve their condition.

One of the antibiotics used in the experiment was Azithromycin, which manifested prominent results. This drug is known to influence both the bacteria multiplication and immune cell modulation, which as stated earlier can affect the Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. Azithromycin reduces the overall bacterial mass in the organism and alters the immune system that when chronically active leads to the constant state of mental and physical exhaust. The researchers where impressed by the results and there are likely to be new experiments held involving the use of drugs similar to Azithromycin. Taking into account that there were almost no side-effects this can possibly make it to the «recommended» list of CFS some time in the future. But until then, there are more studies to be made.

Dr. Stephen Eppes of the Alfred I. duPont Hospital for Children in Wilmington, Del, has stated that this study has opened a whole new perspective for treating otitis media and might be regarded as an alternative to the methods used today. The results of the study have already been submitted to the Food and Drug Administration for further investigation and approval, and if the results are positive a new drug may be added to the list of recommended medications used for treating otitis media in children.

The studies have displayed that after a 12 to 16 day period two different antibiotics from different drug classes where equally successful with approximately 87% of children having no symptoms of otitis media after the course. A repeated examination in two weeks after the initial course has shown that about 75% of children were completely cured with a few cases of reclusion. In what concerns side-effects, the new drug has shown better results with 17% compared to the standard medication with 23% of children having symptoms such as diarrhea and rash. The first drug has caused only diarrhea as a side-effect. The children taking part in the study have had no history of antibiotic intolerance or failed treatment with antibiotics and were generally in a better condition than the patients who are subjected to tympanocentesis.

Researches have thus concluded that both Azithromycin (the new drug) and amoxicillin/clavulanate (the standard medicine) have approximately the same level of effectiveness in the long run, with the first on being more effective in the initial stage of the disease. Azithromycin is better absorbed by the tissue and has longer half-life of about 60 hours. This makes a single dose of the drug as effective as a 10-day course of amoxicillin/clavulanate. Besides, the new drug can be used with children who have had an allergic reaction or intolerance to penicillin-based antibiotics. Good news for those, looking for an effective treatment of otitis media.