No Clinical Benefit to Nebulizing Antibiotics for Ventilator-Associated Pseudomonas aeruginosa Pneumonia

In a phase II trial, nebulized ceftazidime plus amikacin had cure rates similar to those of intravenous therapy but was associated with several adverse events.

Ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) caused by Pseudomonas aeruginosa has a high recurrence rate and is associated with the development of antimicrobial resistance. Compared with intravenous (IV) administration, nebulization has the potential advantage of delivering high concentrations of antibiotics to the lungs while reducing systemic exposure. Now, in a prospective, randomized, phase II trial involving 40 patients with P. aeruginosa VAP at a medical center in France, researchers have compared nebulized antibiotics (8 days of ceftazidime plus 3 days of amikacin) with IV therapy using the same agents.

At the end of treatment, 70% of patients in the aerosol group and 55% of those in the IV group were cured (P=0.33). Recurrence of VAP caused…

Reviewing Author

Neil M. Ampel, MD

Disclosures

Editorial BoardsUpToDate

Leadership Positions in Professional SocietiesCoccidioidomycosis Study Group (Past President, Secretary, Treasurer)

Neil M. Ampel, MD

Disclosures

Editorial BoardsUpToDate

Leadership Positions in Professional SocietiesCoccidioidomycosis Study Group (Past President, Secretary, Treasurer)

No Clinical Benefit to Nebulizing Antibiotics for Ventilator-Associated Pseudomonas aeruginosa Pneumonia

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Reviewing Author