EVALUATION OF 2 COMMERCIAL JET NEBULIZERS AND 3 COMPRESSORS FOR THE NEBULIZATION OF ANTIBIOTICS

Nebulised antibiotics have been shown to be beneficial in the treatmen t of lung infections in cystic fibrosis. Studies on the efficiency of nebuliser systems are constantly required in view of the large number of compressor/drug/nebuliser combinations which are possible and the d evelopment of new systems and drugs. Six combinations of three commerc ially available compressors were compared (PortaNeb 50 (Medic-Aid; 5.4 -6.1 l/min), Turboneb (Medix; 8.3-9.1 l/min), and CR 60 (Medic-Aid; 7. 3-7.8 l/min)) and two jet nebulisers (Microneb III (Lifecare) and Syst em 22 Acorn (Medic-Aid)) for the nebulisation of colomycin, gentamicin , and ciprofloxacin. Aerosol droplet size, nebulisation time, and aero sol output were determined. Turboneb and CR 60 the nebulisation time a nd higher proportions of 'respirable' (< 5 mu m diameter) antibiotic a erosols. The residual volume of the Microneb III was lower than that o f the System 22 Acorn. It was found that the Turboneb and CR 60, when coupled with either Microneb III or System 22 Acorn, were suitable for the nebulisation of all three antibiotics. Of the equipment tested, T urboneb coupled with Microneb III was the most efficient combination. Even with this combination, only around 50% of the nominal dose was re leased as respirable aerosol.