SUCCESSFUL PROGRAM TO PREVENT ASPERGILLUS INFECTIONS IN CHILDREN UNDERGOING MARROW TRANSPLANTATION - USE OF NASAL AMPHOTERICIN

Aspergillus infections in pediatric bone marrow transplant (BMT) patie nts are usually fatal, We began the use of a prophylactic nasal spray of amphotericin in 1990. This nasal spray was provided in addition to low-dose intravenous amphotericin. During the time of this study, the number of fatal cases of aspergillus in the pediatric BMT population w as reduced significantly from 13.8% to 1.8% (P < 0.0025) thereby sugge sting that the use of nasal amphotericin in this population helps to p revent fatal aspergillus infections. The lack of significant side-effe cts and the ease of administration make this a very helpful preventive measure in the supportive care of pediatric bone marrow transplant pa tients.