Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 24, 2026

Histological Quantification to Determine Lung Fungal Burden in Experimental Aspergillosis
09:52

Histological Quantification to Determine Lung Fungal Burden in Experimental Aspergillosis

Published on: March 9, 2018

Inhaled voriconazole for prevention of invasive pulmonary aspergillosis

Justin A Tolman1, Nathan P Wiederhold, Jason T McConville

  • 1The University of Texas at Austin College of Pharmacy, Austin, Texas, USA.

Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy
|March 18, 2009
PubMed

Insights

Inhaled voriconazole effectively prevented invasive aspergillosis in mice. This targeted antifungal delivery improved survival and reduced lung disease, offering a promising alternative to systemic treatments.

Area of Science:

  • Medical Mycology
  • Pulmonary Medicine
  • Pharmacology

Background:

  • Invasive aspergillosis is a serious fungal infection, particularly in immunocompromised individuals.
  • Systemic antifungal administration can cause significant toxicities.
  • Targeted airway delivery of antifungals may enhance lung concentrations and reduce systemic side effects.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the efficacy of aerosolized intravenous voriconazole as prophylaxis against invasive pulmonary aspergillosis.
  • To assess the impact of inhaled voriconazole on survival and disease progression in a murine model.

Main Methods:

  • A murine model of invasive pulmonary aspergillosis caused by Aspergillus fumigatus was established.
  • Mice received aerosolized voriconazole as a prophylactic treatment.
  • Survival rates and histopathological assessments of lung tissue were compared to control and amphotericin B treatment groups.

Main Results:

  • Inhaled voriconazole significantly improved survival rates in the murine model.
  • Histopathological analysis showed a marked reduction in the extent of invasive disease in the lungs of mice treated with inhaled voriconazole.
  • Voriconazole treatment demonstrated superior outcomes compared to both control and amphotericin B treatments.

Conclusions:

  • Aerosolized voriconazole is an effective prophylactic strategy against invasive pulmonary aspergillosis in this murine model.
  • Targeted delivery via inhalation achieves high lung drug concentrations, enhancing therapeutic outcomes while potentially minimizing systemic toxicity.
  • Inhaled voriconazole represents a promising approach for preventing invasive aspergillosis.

Related Concept Videos

Cryptococcal Meningitis01:27

Cryptococcal Meningitis

Cryptococcal meningitis is a life-threatening opportunistic infection predominantly associated with HIV/AIDS, accounting for over 100,000 deaths annually worldwide. However, it also affects individuals with other forms of immunosuppression, including those undergoing immunosuppressive therapy, organ transplant recipients, patients with innate immunodeficiencies, and individuals with hematological disorders. The infection is caused mainly by Cryptococcus neoformans and Cryptococcus gattii,...
Transmission-based Precautions II: Airborne and Protective Environment01:25

Transmission-based Precautions II: Airborne and Protective Environment

Transmission-based precautions are for patients infected or suspected to be infected (or colonized) with organisms posing a significant risk to others. The transmission precautions include airborne and protective environment precautions.
Airborne precautions:
Use airborne precautions when treating patients known or suspected to have diseases that spread through the air—for example, tuberculosis or measles. These organisms are present in smaller droplets expelled by an infected person and...
Antifungal Agents01:15

Antifungal Agents

Amphotericin B is a broad-spectrum antifungal agent that exploits structural differences between fungal and mammalian cell membranes. Its amphipathic structure—featuring a hydrophobic polyene-lactone ring and a hydrophilic region containing mycosamine and carboxylic acid groups—enables selective binding to ergosterol, a sterol predominantly found in fungal plasma membranes. This selective interaction underlies the drug’s antifungal activity, although weak binding to cholesterol contributes to...
Inhaled Medications01:23

Inhaled Medications

Inhaled medications are crucial for managing chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and asthma. They are essential for effective treatment and control, ensuring optimal respiratory health and well-being. Inhaled medication delivers drugs directly to the lungs, providing a rapid onset of action and reducing systemic side effects compared to oral or injectable medications. Three primary types of inhalation devices are used to administer these medications: nebulizers, metered-dose inhalers...
Inhalation Anthrax01:25

Inhalation Anthrax

Anthrax is a zoonotic disease caused by Bacillus anthracis, a Gram-positive, spore-forming bacterium. It primarily affects herbivorous animals but can be transmitted to humans through skin contact, ingestion, or inhalation of spores.Cutaneous anthrax, the most common form, typically results from direct contact with bacterial spores through skin abrasions and is generally less severe. Gastrointestinal anthrax results from eating undercooked or contaminated meat. It affects the mouth, throat, or...
Inhalational Anesthetics: Overview01:20

Inhalational Anesthetics: Overview

Inhalation anesthetics are drugs that induce general anesthesia upon inhalation. They work by increasing the sensitivity of GABAA receptors or inhibiting NMDA receptors, leading to a decrease in central nervous system activity. The depth of anesthesia can be rapidly adjusted by changing the concentration of the inhaled gas. Some common examples of inhalational anesthetics include volatile liquids like isoflurane, desflurane, sevoflurane and gases like xenon and nitrous oxide. Isoflurane, a...