Diffuse panbronchiolitis.

Diffuse panbronchiolitis (DPB) is characterized by chronic airway infection with diffuse bilateral micronodular pulmonary lesions. DPB is mainly distributed in east Asian people. Studies on causes of the disease point to a genetic predisposition unique to Asians. The advent of low-dose, long-term macrolide therapy has changed disease prognosis. The mechanism of action is attributed to anti-inflammatory actions of 14-membered and 15-membered ring macrolides. Recently, the success of macrolide therapy in DPB has extended its application to the treatment of other chronic airway inflammatory diseases.