Abstract
Introduction
Airway colonization with Pseudomonas aeruginosa is frequent in severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and may lead to progressive inflammatory damage. Inhaled Tobramycin Nebulizer Solution (TNS; a preservative-free formulation) is an effective therapy in chronic P aeruginosa infection in cystic fibrosis and bronchiectasis. In this study we aimed to investigate the effects of a TNS short course on inflammatory markers in bronchial secretions from multiresistant P aeruginosa-colonized patients with severe COPD. To the authors’ knowledge, this is the first study to examine this in cases of severe COPD.
Methods
Thirteen COPD patients (GOLD criteria 3–4; mean age 72.7± 8 years; mean basal forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1) 34.8%±8.1%; mean FEV1/forced vital capacity 0.6±0.1) were enrolled. All patients were colonized with P aeruginosa and resistant to oral/intravenous specific antibiotics. Eosinophilic cationic protein (ECP), interleukin-1 beta (IL-1β), interleukin-8 (IL-8), tumor necrosis factor alfa (TNF-α), and cell counts were measured in spontaneous secretions before and after a 2-week TNS course (300 mg twice daily).
Results
The TNS course induced a significant reduction in IL-1β (P<0.03), IL-8 (P<0.02), ECP (P<0.01) concentrations, and in eosinophil count (P<0.01). TNF-α levels, and neutrophil and lymphocyte counts were not significantly affected. The second week of treatment proved crucial in terms of efficacy. P aeruginosa density was lowered after 6 months; severe acute exacerbations were reduced by 42%.
Conclusion
TNS reduced the inflammatory impact of P aeruginosa in multiresistant, P aeruginosa-colonized patients with severe COPD. A therapeutic role for TNS can be strongly suggested in these particular conditions.
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An erratum to this article can be found online at http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s12325-008-0131-x.
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Dal Negro, R., Micheletto, C., Tognella, S. et al. Tobramycin Nebulizer Solution in severe COPD patients colonized with Pseudomonas aeruginosa: effects on bronchial Inflammation. Adv Therapy 25, 1019–1030 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12325-008-0105-2
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12325-008-0105-2