Nebulizer therapy with antibiotics in chronic suppurative lung disease

J Aerosol Med. 1994 Winter;7(4):345-50. doi: 10.1089/jam.1994.7.345.

Abstract

Aerosolized antibiotics have been shown to be a useful modality of treatment in patients with cystic fibrosis. In this investigation we examined the utility of this treatment in patients with other chronic suppurative lung disorders. These included forty patients, thirty men and ten women with chronic airway infection (27 with bronchiectasis, 6 with chronic abscess and 7 with chronic suppurative bronchitis). Pathogenic organisms were isolated from the affected part of the lung by a fiberoptic bronchoscopy using a sterile disposable bronchial microbiology brush. Cultures from these specimens were used to determine the appropriate antibiotic. A second control group of 20 patients was treated with systemic antibiotics alone. Both systemic and aerosolized antibiotics were administered in 20 patients. A statistically significant improvement in clinical, and ventilatory functions was recorded in the first group compared to the second. Nebulized antibiotics used as adjunctive therapy in association with systemic antibiotics may offer a therapeutic advantage in chronic suppurative lung diseases.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aerosols
  • Anti-Bacterial Agents / administration & dosage*
  • Anti-Bacterial Agents / therapeutic use
  • Bacterial Infections / drug therapy*
  • Chronic Disease
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Injections, Intravenous
  • Male
  • Microbial Sensitivity Tests
  • Middle Aged
  • Nebulizers and Vaporizers*
  • Respiratory Function Tests
  • Respiratory Tract Infections / drug therapy*
  • Respiratory Tract Infections / physiopathology
  • Sputum / microbiology
  • Treatment Outcome

Substances

  • Aerosols
  • Anti-Bacterial Agents