Nebulized tobramycin in patients with chronic respiratory infections during clinical evolution of Wegener's granulomatosis.

Aminoglycosides are effective against Pseudomonas aeruginosa but with intravenous administration there are only very low concentrations achieved in sputum; therefore in order to obtain therapeutic levels in patients with endobronchial infections should be administered high doses with increased likelihood to produce both nephrotoxic and ototoxic effects. Direct aerosol delivery of aminoglycosides to the lower respiratory tract has the advantage to achieve high antibiotic sputum concentrations in the infected area with reduced risk of systemic toxic reactions because of minimal absorption into the circulation. Nowadays, except for patients suffering from cystic fibrosis and bronchiectasis, the administration of antibiotics through inhalers is not very much in use. The aim of this study was to administer nebulized tobramycin in chronic respiratory infections developed during the evolution of Wegener's Granulomatosis in order to obtain data concerning the safety and efficacy of inhaled aminoglycosides. The results obtained underlined an improvement in FEV1, FEF75 and PaO2. The aerosolized tobramycin administered in 300 mg doses three times per day for four weeks, showed itself to be effective and safe, not causing any undesirable clinical or microbiological side-effects. Moreover, a long term treatment has been shown to control the Pseudomonas aeruginosa infection on the bronchial system in Wegener's granulomatosis and reduce the frequency of exacerbations in chronic patients.