NEBULIZER THERAPY WITH ANTIBIOTICS IN CHRONIC SUPPURATIVE LUNG-DISEASE

Aerosolized antibiotics have been shown to be a useful modality of tre atment in patients with cystic fibrosis. In this investigation we exam ined the utility of this treatment in patients with other chronic supp urative lung disorders. These included forty patients, thirty men and ten women with chronic airway infection (27 with bronchiectasis, 6 wit h chronic absess and 7 with chronic suppurative bronchitis). Pathogeni c organisms were isolated from the affected part of the lung by a fibe roptic bronchoscopy using a sterile disposable bronchial microbiology brush. Cultures from these specimens were used to determine the approp riate antibiotic. A second control group of 20 patients was treated wi th systematic antibiotics alone. Both systemic and aerosolized antibio tics were administered in 20 patients. A statistically significant imp rovement in clinical, and ventilatory functions was recorded in the fi rst group compared to the second. Nebulized antibiotics used as adjunc tive therapy in association with systemic antibiotics may offer a ther apeutic advantage in chronic suppurative lung diseases.