[Prophylactic inhalation of amphotericin B in invasive aspergillosis: a distribution study]

Invasive pulmonary aspergillosis (IPA) during periods of immunosuppression or prolonged neutropenia is a serious condition with high mortality. Prophylaxis is unsatisfactory because of the low effectiveness of systemic administration of amphotericin B (AMB) and because of its side effects. Prophylactic inhalation of AMB by means of a nebulizing system may be able to reduce the incidence of IPA. Therefore, we studied the distribution of nebulized 99mTc-labeled AMB and estimated its particle size. AMB is homogeneously distributed in the lung and partly deposited in the terminal respiratory unit; it remains there with a half-life of at least 14 h. Therefore, prophylaxis of IPA with AMB nebulized as described can be recommended.