Background: Nebulized amphotericin B deoxycholate (n-ABD) is used to prevent Aspergillus infection in lung transplantation. Nebulized liposomal amphotericin B (n-LAB) is another option; however, no clinical data are available on the results of n-LAB for this purpose.
Methods: In an observational study performed in 2 centers to assess the feasibility, tolerability, and outcomes of n-LAB prophylaxis, 104 consecutive patients undergoing prophylaxis with n-LAB were compared with 49 historical controls who received n-ABD. Patient follow-up lasted 12 months. The n-LAB prophylaxis regimen was 25 mg thrice weekly starting on the first post-operative day and continuing to 60 days, 25 mg once weekly from 60 to 180 days, and the same dose once every 2 weeks thereafter.
Results: Aspergillus infection developed in 8 of 104 patients (7.7%) with n-LAB prophylaxis (5 colonization, 1 simple tracheobronchitis, 1 ulcerative tracheobronchitis, and 1 invasive pulmonary infection). Ulcerative tracheobronchitis and invasive pulmonary aspergillosis were regarded as invasive disease; hence, the rate of invasive disease was 1.9% (2 patients). The control group had similar rates of Aspergillus infection (10.2%; p = 0.6) and invasive disease (4.1%; p = 0.43). In 3 patients (2.9%), n-LAB was withdrawn due to bronchospasm in 2 and nausea in 1. In the control group, prophylaxis was stopped in 2 patients (4.1%) because of bronchospasm (p = 0.7).
Conclusions: At the dose and frequency described, n-LAB seems effective, safe, and convenient for the prevention of Aspergillus infection in lung transplant patients.
Copyright (c) 2010 International Society for Heart and Lung Transplantation. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.