Inhaled amphotericin B for prophylaxis against invasive Aspergillus infections.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the available literature describing the use of inhaled amphotericin B for prophylaxis of invasive Aspergillus spp. infections.

DATA SOURCES: A MEDLINE search was conducted (1966-July 2006) using the key terms amphotericin B, inhaled amphotericin B, Aspergillus spp., invasive aspergillosis, solid-organ transplant, neutropenia, and inhalation. Review of the reference lists of the identified articles was also performed.

STUDY SELECTION AND DATA EXTRACTION: Study selection included published trials, case reports, and case series of humans with hematologic disease and solid-organ transplant who used inhaled amphotericin B in the prevention of invasive Aspergillus infections.

DATA SYNTHESIS: Inhaled amphotericin B has been evaluated for the prevention of invasive aspergillosis (IA) infections in neutropenic patients and certain solid-organ transplant recipients. Use of inhaled amphotericin B seems to reduce the incidence of IA in these patients; however, some of the clinical evidence was limited by factors such as small sample sizes, lack of statistical analyses, and lack of power to detect a difference between prophylaxis and control groups. Although the clinical evidence supporting the use of inhaled amphotericin B has some limitations, its use still may be beneficial for the prophylaxis of invasive Aspergillus infections, especially in solid-organ transplant recipients where the evidence is strongest.

CONCLUSIONS: Invasive Aspergillus infections are becoming more prevalent in high-risk populations (eg, patients with malignancies, following bone marrow transplantation, or following solid-organ transplantation). The mortality rates associated with IA are great in these populations, making prophylaxis an important consideration. Inhaled amphotericin B has recently come into vogue as an option for prophylaxis against IA. Some of the data available supports the use of inhaled amphotericin B for the prevention of IA while providing evidence of fewer drug interactions and toxicities associated with other antifungal agents.