Sputum itraconazole concentrations in cystic fibrosis patients

Itraconazole diffusion in sputum was studied in 11 cystic fibrosis patients with allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis. There was a high interindividual variability in sputum itraconazole concentration and sputum/serum drug concentration ratio. Three children had sputum drug concentrations before oral administration that were lower than the itraconazole MIC at which 90% of Aspergillus fumigatus strains were inhibited, although their serum drug concentrations were within the therapeutic range.