Nebulized amphotericin B prophylaxis for Aspergillus infection in lung transplantation: study of risk factors

Aspergillus infection remains a major cause of morbidity and mortality after lung transplantation. Therefore, some strategies have been attempted, one of which is nebulized amphotericin B (nAB); however, the efficacy of this prophylaxis has not been shown clearly. The aim is to study whether nAB can protect against Aspergillus infection in lung transplant recipients.

A study of risk factors was conducted in 55 consecutive lung allograft recipients. Twenty-three potential risk factors were analyzed. In 44 (80%) patients, nAB was indicated as prophylaxis. Multivariate analysis using logistic regression was performed.

Eighteen of the 55 patients (33%) developed infection due to Aspergillus spp. Multivariate analysis showed nAB to be a preventive factor (odds ratio: 0.13; 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.02-0.69; p < 0.05) and cytomegalovirus (CMV) disease was an independent risk factor for developing Aspergillus infection (odds ratio: 5.1; 95% CI 1.35-19.17; p < 0.05). Only 1 patient required withdrawal of the prophylaxis owing to bronchospasm. nAB was well-tolerated in the remaining patients with only a few, mild, easily controlled side effects.

The present results show that nAB prophylaxis may be efficient and safe in preventing Aspergillus infection in lung-transplanted patients, and CMV disease increases the probability of Aspergillus infection.