Fosfomycin nebulizer therapy to chronic sinusitis

Objective: effects of Fosfomycin (FOM) nebulizer therapy were studied in pa tients with chronic sinusitis. Methods: about 28 patients with chronic sinu sitis were administered 2 ml of FOM sodium (3% w/v) by nebulizer three time s per week for 4 weeks. Levels of IL-1 beta, IL-6, IL-8, and TNF-alpha in n asal lavage were also measured before and at the end of treatment. Results: the overall efficacy of this treatment on the basis of both subjective and objective symptoms, was 'excellent' for 28.6%, 'good' for 10.7%, 'fair' fo r 39.4%, and yield 'no change' for 21.4% of the patients. Both IL-1 beta an d IL-6 concentrations were significantly decreased after treatment. Althoug h the IL-8 level did not significantly decrease, it seems to be related to the overall efficacy. TNF-alpha was not detected in all of the samples. Con clusion: FOM nebulization therapy is highly effective in treatment for chro nic sinusitis, and efficacy may be due to an immunomodulatory mechanism, as well as its bactericidal effect. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science Ireland Ltd. Al l rights reserved.