Lung Transplant Research Today is a free monthly online journal that collates and summarizes the latest research about Lung Transplant, including details on risks, prognosis, procedure, surgery, organ donation.

Safety of aerosolized liposomal versus deoxycholate amphotericin B formulations for prevention of invasive fungal infections following lung transplantation: a retrospective study.

Lowry CM, Marty FM, Vargas SO, Lee JT, Fiumara K, Deykin A, Baden LR

Department of Pharmacy, Brigham & Women's Hospital, Boston, MA 02115, USA.

BACKGROUND: Nebulized amphotericin B deoxycholate (AmBd) has been used to prevent invasive pulmonary aspergillosis after lung transplantation. METHODS: In this retrospective study we compared the safety and tolerability of nebulized AmBd and nebulized liposomal amphotericin B (L-AmB) in 38 consecutive lung transplant recipients. Progress notes, medication administration records, microbiology, and pulmonary function reports were reviewed. Histologic sections from lung tissue were examined. Plasma amphotericin B levels were measured. RESULTS: A total of 1206 doses of AmBd and 1149 doses of L-AmB were administered. Eighteen patients received AmBd only, 11 received L-AmB only, and 9 received the medications sequentially. The total number of complaints vs. the number of doses administered was 1.0% for AmBd-treated patients and 1.2% for L-AmB-treated patients. No differences were observed between the treatment groups on lung biopsy specimens. Plasma amphotericin B levels were <0.2-0.9 microg/mL in AmBd-treated patients and <0.2 microg/mL in L-AmB-treated patients. CONCLUSIONS: In lung transplant recipients, both inhaled AmBd and L-AmB were safe and well tolerated over a large number of medication exposures.

Published 27 April 2007 in Transpl Infect Dis, 9(2): 121-5.
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