Aspergillus fumigatus during COPD exacerbation: a pair-matched retrospective study

Development and validation of a model for predicting the early occurrence of RF in ICU-admitted AECOPD patients: a retrospective analysis based on the MIMIC-IV database

BACKGROUND

This study aims to construct a model predicting the probability of RF in AECOPD patients upon hospital admission.

METHODS

This study retrospectively extracted data from MIMIC-IV database, ultimately including 3776 AECOPD patients. The patients were randomly divided into a training set (n = 2643) and a validation set (n = 1133) in a 7:3 ratio. First, LASSO regression analysis was used to optimize variable selection by running a tenfold k-cyclic coordinate descent. Subsequently, a multifactorial Cox regression analysis was employed to establish a predictive model. Thirdly, the model was validated using ROC curves, Harrell's C-index, calibration plots, DCA, and K-M curve.

RESULT

Eight predictive indicators were selected, including blood urea nitrogen, prothrombin time, white blood cell count, heart rate, the presence of comorbid interstitial lung disease, heart failure, and the use of antibiotics and bronchodilators. The model constructed with these 8 predictors demonstrated good predictive capabilities, with ROC curve areas under the curve (AUC) of 0.858 (0.836-0.881), 0.773 (0.746-0.799), 0.736 (0.701-0.771) within 3, 7, and 14 days in the training set, respectively and the C-index was 0.743 (0.723-0.763). Additionally, calibration plots indicated strong consistency between predicted and observed values. DCA analysis demonstrated favorable clinical utility. The K-M curve indicated the model's good reliability, revealed a significantly higher RF occurrence probability in the high-risk group than that in the low-risk group (P < 0.0001).

CONCLUSION

The nomogram can provide valuable guidance for clinical practitioners to early predict the probability of RF occurrence in AECOPD patients, take relevant measures, prevent RF, and improve patient outcomes.

Improved diagnostic markers for invasive pulmonary aspergillosis in COPD patients

Background

The prevalence of invasive pulmonary aspergillosis (IPA) among patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is steadily increasing, leading to high mortality. Although early diagnosis can significantly reduce mortality, the efficacy of current diagnostic methods is limited. Consequently, there is a need for novel approaches for early IPA detection.

Methods

This retrospective study involved 383 hospitalized COPD patients with GOLD stages III and IV. The IPA group (67 patients) and non-IPA group (316 patients) were identified at the First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University between January 2016 and February 2022. We analyzed common serological indicators in our hospital to identify predictive indicators for the early diagnosis of IPA in COPD patients.

Results

The sensitivity and specificity of C-reactive protein (CRP), erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), procalcitonin (PCT), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), and ceruloplasmin (CER) for diagnosing IPA in COPD patients were as follows: CRP (91.2%, 57.7%), ESR (77.5%, 73.0%), PCT (60.5%, 71.4%), LDH (50.0%, 88.8%), and CER (60.7%, 74.3%). Combinations of biomarkers, such as CRP-ESR, CRP-LDH, ESR-LDH, ESR-CER, and LDH-CER, showed promising diagnostic potential, with larger area under the curve (AUC) values for IPA diagnosis in COPD patients. However, no statistically significant difference was observed between the diagnostic efficacy of single biomarkers and combined biomarkers. Notably, compared to those in the unassisted ventilation group, the patients in the assisted ventilation group (including noninvasive ventilation and tracheal intubation/incision-assisted ventilation group) exhibited significantly greater PCT and LDH levels, while the CER significantly decreased (p=0.021). There were no significant differences in biomarker levels between the ICU group and the non-ICU group. CRP (p<0.01), ESR (p=0.028), PCT (p<0.01), and CER (p<0.01) were positively correlated with hospitalization duration, whereas LDH was not correlated with hospitalization duration.

Conclusion

Our study highlights the diagnostic potential of CRP, ESR, PCT, LDH, and CER for IPA in COPD patients. CRP and LDH can also initially predict the need for assisted ventilation, while CRP can initially estimate the length of hospitalization. This study represents the first report of the potential of CER for diagnosing IPA, suggesting its significance for further research.

Prevalence and risk factors for chronic pulmonary aspergillosis in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease patients with acute exacerbations

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients often experience acute exacerbations requiring hospitalization. Recently, attention has focused on Aspergillus sensitization in the airways of these COPD patients. This study aimed to assess the prevalence of chronic pulmonary aspergillosis (CPA) in COPD patients with acute exacerbations and identify associated risk factors. A cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted at the Jawaharlal Institute of Postgraduate Medical Education and Research from January 2021 to June 2022. Sixty-one COPD patients presenting with acute exacerbations were included. Demographic details, blood investigations, and sputum examinations were performed for all patients. A high-resolution computed tomography thorax was conducted for eligible patients. The prevalence of CPA among patients with an acute exacerbation of COPD was found to be 9.8%, with chronic cavitary pulmonary aspergillosis being the most common presentation (50%). Among post-tubercular COPD patients, the prevalence of CPA was significantly higher at 22.7%. Hemoptysis (p<0.001) and a previous history of tuberculosis (p=0.008) were associated with Aspergillus sensitization. This study highlights the substantial prevalence of CPA in COPD patients with acute exacerbations, particularly in those with a history of tuberculosis. Early recognition and targeted management of CPA in COPD patients may improve outcomes and reduce hospitalization rates. Further large-scale multi-center studies are needed to validate these findings and comprehensively address the impact of CPA on all COPD patients.

The clinical spectrum of aspergillosis in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is the third leading cause of death worldwide. In this review, we present the clinical spectrum and pathogenesis of syndromes caused by Aspergillus in COPD namely invasive aspergillosis (IA), community-acquired Aspergillus pneumonia, chronic pulmonary Aspergillosis and Aspergillus sensitisation. Some of these entities are clearly linked to COPD, while others may coexist, but are less clearly liked directly to COPD. We discuss current uncertainties as these pertain to IA in COPD cohorts and explore areas for future research in this field.

Upper respiratory tract mycobiome alterations in different kinds of pulmonary disease

Introduction

The human respiratory tract is considered to be a polymicrobial niche, and an imbalance in the microorganism composition is normally associated with several respiratory diseases. In addition to the well-studied bacteriome, the existence of fungal species in the respiratory tract has drawn increasing attention and has been suggested to have a significant clinical impact. However, the understanding of the respiratory fungal microbiota (mycobiome) in pulmonary diseases is still insufficient.

Methods

In this study, we investigated the fungal community composition of oropharynx swab (OS) samples from patients with five kinds of pulmonary disease, including interstitial lung disease (ILD), bacterial pneumonia (BP), fungal pneumonia (FP), asthma (AS) and lung cancer (LC), and compared them with healthy controls (HCs), based on high-throughput sequencing of the amplified fungal internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region.

Results

The results showed significant differences in fungal composition and abundance between disease groups and HCs. Malassezia was the most significant genus, which was much more abundant in pulmonary diseases than in the control. In addition, many common taxa were shared among different disease groups, but differences in taxa abundance and specific species in distinct disease groups were also observed. Based on linear discriminant analysis effect size (LefSe), each group had its characteristic species. Furthermore, some species showed a significant correlation with the patient clinical characteristics.

Discussion

Our study deepened our understanding of the respiratory tract mycobiome in some diseases that are less studied and identified the commonalities and differences among different kinds of pulmonary disease. These results would provide the solid basis for further investigation of the association between the mycobiome and pathogenicity of pulmonary diseases.

The efficacy and safety of antibiotics and glucocorticoids in the treatment of elderly patients with chronic obstructive emphysema: systematic review and meta-analysis

Background

To systematically evaluate the efficacy and safety of inhaled corticosteroids (ICS) combined with antibiotics in the treatment of elderly chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients, and to provide some reference for the optimization of clinical treatment regimen for elderly COPD patients.

Methods

Combination of perfect search and keywords from the Chinese and foreign language databases, and the Cochrane Collaboration Center provided Review Manger 5.2 software [Cochrane Information Management System (IMS)] for statistical analysis, and the risk ratio (RR) of dichotic variables was adopted. RR and 95% confidence interval (95% CI) were used as efficacy and side effects analysis statistics in metaanalysis.

Results

After independent screening by two researchers, 18 studies were included into the meta-analysis. After data analysis and statistics, the results of meta-analysis showed that the observation group (glucocorticoid combined with antibiotic treatment) and the control group (glucocorticoid therapy) first second forced expiratory volume (FEV1%) expected value (OR =1.21; 95% CI: 0.11–2.32; P=0.03), and 6-min walking distances (6-MWDs) (OR =12.92; 95% CI: 4.61–21.22; P=0.002), the COPD Assessment Test (CAT) score (OR =3.08; 95% CI: 2.58−3.57; P<0.00001) the improvement was statistically significant; incidence of adverse reactions (OR =1.24; 95% CI: 0.58–2.67; P=0.58), the incidence of acute exacerbation (OR =0.65; 95% CI: 0.39–1.08; P=0.10), FEV1 (OR =0.07; 95% CI: 0.01–0.15; P=0.09). There was no statistical difference.

Discussion

The combination of glucocorticoids and antibiotics in elderly patients with stable COPD can significantly improve their lung function and exercise ability with minimal adverse reactions.

Pro-inflammatory cytokines/chemokines, TNF-α, IL-6 and MCP-1, as biomarkers for the nephro- and pneumoprotective effect of silibinin after hepatic ischemia/reperfusion: confirmation by immunihistochemistry and qRT-PCR

The present study investigated the potential nephro- and pneumoprotective effect of silibinin (Si) after hepatic ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) injury, by measuring pro-inflammatory factors. Sixty-three rats were randomly assigned into three groups, as follows: (a) the sham group (n=7 rats), subjected to opening and closing the abdomen; (b) the control group (n = 28 rats), subjected to 45-min hepatic ischemia followed by reperfusion; and (c) the silibinin group (n=28), subjected to 45-min hepatic ischemia followed by intravenous administration of lyophilized SLB-HP-β-CD before reperfusion. Control and silibinin groups were further subdivided into time-point groups, according to the duration of reperfusion. TNF-α, IL-6 and MCP-1 expressions were determined immunihistochemically and by qrT-PCR at each time-point. Kidney TNF-α expression was significantly lower at 180 and 240 min, while lung TNF-α expression was significantly lower at 240 min. Comparison between the control and Si group at the same time-points, showed very strong evidence of difference at 240 min, with the levels of IL-6 shifting towards lower values in the Si group. Finally, we found a high MCP-1 expression after 120 min. We conclude that hepatic I/R injury remotely increases proinflammatory mediators in the kidney and lung, whereas silibinin shows a time-dependent nephro- and pneumoprotective effect.

Mortality outcomes associated with invasive aspergillosis among acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease patient population

BACKGROUND

Literature regarding trends of mortality, and complications of aspergillosis infection among patients with acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (AECOPD) is limited.

METHODS

Data from the National Readmissions Database (NRD) that constitutes 49.1% of the stratified sample of all hospitals in the United States (US), representing more than 95% of the national population were analyzed for hospitalizations with aspergillosis among AECOPD. Predictors and trends related to aspergillosis in AECOPD were evaluated. A Linear p-trend was used to assess the trends.

RESULTS

Out of the total 7,282,644 index hospitalizations for AECOPD (mean age 69.17 ± 12.04years, 55.3% females), 8209 (11.2/10,000) with primary diagnosis of invasive aspergillosis were recorded in the NRD for 2013-2018. Invasive aspergillosis was strongly associated with mortality (OR 4.47, 95%CI 4.02-4.97, p < 0.001) among AECOPD patients. Malignancy and organ transplant status were predominant predictors of developing aspergillosis among AECOPD patients. The IA-AECOPD group had higher rates of multi-organ manifestations including ACS (3.7% vs 0.44%; p-value0.001), AF (20% vs 18.4%; p-value0.001), PE (4.79% vs1.87%; p-value0.001), AKI (22.3% vs17.5%; p-value0.001), ICU admission (16.5% vs11.9%; p-value0.001), and MV (22.3% vs7.31%; p-value0.001) than the AECOPD group. The absolute yearly trend for mortality of aspergillosis was steady (linear p-trend 0.22) while the yearly rate of IA-AECOPD had decreased from 15/10,000 in 2013 to 9/10,000 in 2018 (linear p-trend 0.02).

INTERPRETATION

Aspergillosis was related with high mortality among AECOD hospitalizations. There has been a significant improvement in the yearly rates of aspergillosis while the mortality trend was steady among aspergillosis subgroups. Improved risk factor management through goal-directed approach may improve clinical outcomes.

Respiratory Aspergillus Colonization Was Associated With Relapse of Acute Exacerbation in Patients With Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease: Analysis of Data From A Retrospective Cohort Study

Background: Patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) are more susceptible to Aspergillus colonization or infection. Several studies have demonstrated that invasive pulmonary Aspergillosis (IPA) and Aspergillus hypersensitivity (AH) have a detrimental effect on COPD. However, it remains to be clarified whether Aspergillus colonization is associated with acute exacerbation of COPD (AECOPD). This study aimed to explore the impact of Aspergillus colonization in the lower respiratory tract on AECOPD.

Method: Patients with Aspergillus colonization were identified from a retrospective cohort of hospitalized AECOPD from 2011 to 2016 in eight centers in Shanghai, China. The demographic information, conditions of the stable stage, clinical characteristics during hospitalization, and 1-year follow-up information after discharge were collected and compared to participants without fungi colonization.

Result: Twenty-six hospitalized AECOPD patients with Aspergillus colonization and 72 controls were included in the final analysis after excluding patients with other fungi isolation and matching. The rates of recurrence of acute exacerbation within 90 days and 180 days after discharge in the patients with Aspergillus colonization were both significantly higher than that in the fungi negative patients (90 days: 19.2 vs. 4.2%, p = 0.029; 180 days: 23.1 vs. 4.2%, p = 0.010), and the all-cause mortality within 1 year was also higher (11.5 vs. 0.0%, p = 0.017). Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that Aspergillus colonization was an independent risk factor for the recurrence of acute exacerbation within 90 days and 180 days (90 days: OR = 8.661, 95% CI: 1.496-50.159, p = 0.016; 180 days: OR =10.723, 95% CI: 1.936-59.394, p = 0.007).

Conclusion:Aspergillus colonization may predict poor prognosis of AECOPD while leading to an increased risk of recurrent AECOPD in a short period.

Respiratory Mycoses in COPD and Bronchiectasis

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and bronchiectasis represent chronic airway diseases associated with significant morbidity and mortality. Bacteria and viruses are commonly implicated in acute exacerbations; however the significance of fungi in these airways remains poorly defined. While COPD and bronchiectasis remain recognized risk factors for the occurrence of Aspergillus-associated disease including chronic and invasive aspergillosis, underlying mechanisms that lead to the progression from colonization to invasive disease remain uncertain. Nonetheless, advances in molecular technologies have improved our detection, identification and understanding of resident fungi characterizing these airways. Mycobiome sequencing has revealed the complex varied and myriad profile of airway fungi in COPD and bronchiectasis, including their association with disease presentation, progression, and mortality. In this review, we outline the emerging evidence for the clinical importance of fungi in COPD and bronchiectasis, available diagnostic modalities, mycobiome sequencing approaches and association with clinical outcomes.

Clinical features and prognostic analysis of patients with Aspergillus isolation during acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

Background

Lower respiratory tract (LRT) specimen culture is widely performed for the identification of Aspergillus. We investigated the clinical features and prognosis of patients with Aspergillus isolation from LRT specimens during acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (AECOPD).

Methods

This is a 6-year single-center, real-world study. 75 cases out of 1131 hospitalized AECOPD patients were positive for Aspergillus. These patients were carefully evaluated and finally diagnosed of pulmonary aspergillosis (PA, 60 cases, 80%) or colonization (15 cases, 20%). Comparisons of clinical data were performed between these two groups. A cox regression model was used to confirm prognostic factors of Aspergillus infection.

Results

The PA group had worse lung function and higher rates of systemic corticosteroid use and broad-spectrum antibiotic use before admission than the colonization group. The PA group had significantly higher in-hospital mortality and 180-day mortality than the colonization group (45% (27/60) vs. 0% (0/15), p = 0.001, and 52.5% (31/59) vs. 6.7% (1/15), p < 0.001, respectively). By multivariable analysis among Aspergillus infection patients, antifungal therapy (HR 0.383, 95% CI 0.163–0.899, p = 0.027) was associated with improved survival, whereas accumulated dose of systemic steroids > 700 mg (HR 2.452, 95% CI 1.134–5.300, p = 0.023) and respiratory failure at admission (HR 5.983, 95% CI 2.487–14.397, p < 0.001) were independently associated with increased mortality. Significant survival differential was observed among PA patients without antifungals and antifungals initiated before and after Aspergillus positive culture (p = 0.001).

Conclusions

Aspergillus isolation in hospitalized AECOPD patients largely indicated PA. AECOPD patients with PA had worse prognosis than those with Aspergillus colonization. Empirical antifungal therapy is warranted to improve the prognosis for Aspergillus infection.

Nebulised surface-active hybrid nanoparticles of voriconazole for pulmonary Aspergillosis demonstrate clathrin-mediated cellular uptake, improved antifungal efficacy and lung retention

BACKGROUND

Incidence of pulmonary aspergillosis is rising worldwide, owing to an increased population of immunocompromised patients. Notable potential of the pulmonary route has been witnessed in antifungal delivery due to distinct advantages of direct lung targeting and first-pass evasion. The current research reports biomimetic surface-active lipid-polymer hybrid (LPH) nanoparticles (NPs) of voriconazole, employing lung-specific lipid, i.e., dipalmitoylphosphatidylcholine and natural biodegradable polymer, i.e., chitosan, to augment its pulmonary deposition and retention, following nebulization.

RESULTS

The developed nanosystem exhibited a particle size in the range of 228-255 nm and drug entrapment of 45-54.8%. Nebulized microdroplet characterization of NPs dispersion revealed a mean diameter of  ≤ 5 μm, corroborating its deep lung deposition potential as determined by next-generation impactor studies. Biophysical interaction of LPH NPs with lipid-monolayers indicated their surface-active potential and ease of intercalation into the pulmonary surfactant membrane at the air-lung interface. Cellular viability and uptake studies demonstrated their cytocompatibility and time-and concentration-dependent uptake in lung-epithelial A549 and Calu-3 cells with clathrin-mediated internalization. Transepithelial electrical resistance experiments established their ability to penetrate tight airway Calu-3 monolayers. Antifungal studies on laboratory strains and clinical isolates depicted their superior efficacy against Aspergillus species. Pharmacokinetic studies revealed nearly 5-, 4- and threefolds enhancement in lung AUC, Tmax, and MRT values, construing significant drug access and retention in lungs.

CONCLUSIONS

Nebulized LPH NPs were observed as a promising solution to provide effective and safe therapy for the management of pulmonary aspergillosis infection with improved patient compliance and avoidance of systemic side-effects.

Role of pulmonary microorganisms in the development of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a chronic obstructive respiratory disease characterized by irreversible airway limitation and persistent respiratory symptoms. The main clinical symptoms of COPD are dyspnoea, chronic cough, and sputum. COPD is often accompanied by other respiratory diseases, which can cause worsening of the disease. COPD patients with dyspnoea and aggravation of cough and sputum symptoms represent acute exacerbations of COPD (AECOPD). There is mounting evidence suggesting that dysbiosis of pulmonary microbiota participates in the disease. However, investigations of dysbiosis of pulmonary microbiota and the disease are still in initial phases. To screen, diagnose, and treat this respiratory disease, integrating data from different studies can improve our understanding of the occurrence and development of COPD and AECOPD. In this review, COPD epidemiology and the primary triggering mechanism are explored. Emerging knowledge regarding the association of inflammation, caused by pulmonary microbiome imbalance, and changes in lung microbiome flora species involved in the development of the disease are also highlighted. These data will further our understanding of the pathogenesis of COPD and AECOPD and may yield novel strategies for the use of pulmonary microbiota as a potential therapeutic intervention.

Risk factors of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease exacerbations

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is a chronic respiratory disease characterised by persistent respiratory symptoms and airflow limitation. COPD has a major impact on public health, mainly because of its increasing prevalence, morbidity and mortality. The natural course of COPD is aggravated by episodes of respiratory symptom worsening termed exacerbations that contribute to disease progression. Acute Exacerbations of COPD (AECOPD) can be triggered by a multitude of different factors, including respiratory tract infections, various exposures, prior exacerbations, non-adherence to treatment and associated comorbidities. AECOPD are associated with an inexorable decline of lung function and a significantly worse survival outcome. This review will summarise the most important aspects regarding the impact of different factors that contribute to COPD exacerbations.

Endobronchial fungal infection caused by Candida albicans with main bronchus obstruction: a case report

Endobronchial fungal infection (EBFI) is a rare form of pulmonary fungal infection that especially affects immunocompromised patients. Furthermore, EBFI resulting in obstruction of the main bronchus is extremely rare. With the development of bronchoscopic techniques, rare cases of EBFI have been reported. A 68-year-old female was referred to the Department of Pulmonology for confusion and obtundation. The patient was diagnosed with septic shock due to acute pyelonephritis followed by obstructive EBFI. We performed bronchoscopic biopsy and endobronchial aspiration for culture. Biopsy showed yeast-like fungus and Candida albicans grew in the culture. EBFI has been under-recognized because of difficulties in confirming the diagnosis. Endobronchial ultrasound-guided transbronchial needle aspiration and bronchoscopy are used to improve the diagnosis of thoracic infection, such as tuberculosis. The role of bronchoscopy in the diagnosis of infectious diseases of the trachea or main bronchi is expected to widen in the future.

Airway mycosis in allergic airway disease

The allergic airway diseases, including chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS), asthma, allergic bronchopulmonary mycosis (ABPM) and many others, comprise a heterogeneous collection of inflammatory disorders affecting the upper and lower airways and lung parenchyma that represent the most common chronic diseases of humanity. In addition to their shared tissue tropism, the allergic airway diseases are characterized by a distinct pattern of inflammation involving the accumulation of eosinophils, type 2 macrophages, innate lymphoid cells type 2 (ILC2), IgE-secreting B cells, and T helper type 2 (Th2) cells in airway tissues, and the prominent production of type 2 cytokines including interleukin (IL-) 33, IL-4, IL-5, IL-13, and many others. These factors and related inflammatory molecules induce characteristic remodeling and other changes of the airways that include goblet cell metaplasia, enhanced mucus secretion, smooth muscle hypertrophy, tissue swelling and polyp formation that account for the major clinical manifestations of nasal obstruction, headache, hyposmia, cough, shortness of breath, chest pain, wheezing, and, in the most severe cases of lower airway disease, death due to respiratory failure or disseminated, systemic disease. The syndromic nature of the allergic airway diseases that now include many physiological variants or endotypes suggests that distinct endogenous or environmental factors underlie their expression. However, findings from different perspectives now collectively link these disorders to a single infectious source, the fungi, and a molecular pathogenesis that involves the local production of airway proteinases by these organisms. In this review, we discuss the evidence linking fungi and their proteinases to the surprisingly wide variety of chronic airway and systemic disorders and the immune pathogenesis of these conditions as they relate to environmental fungi. We further discuss the important implications these new findings have for the diagnosis and future therapy of these common conditions.

Chronic Pulmonary Aspergillosis in Patients with Underlying Respiratory Disorders in Cuba-A Pilot Study

Chronic pulmonary aspergillosis (CPA) is a fungal infection with high mortality and morbidity rates. This disease is caused by several Aspergillus species and affects patients with an underlying respiratory condition. This pilot study aims to recognize CPA among patients with different respiratory diseases. Twenty-one out of 47 patients were classified as CPA based on the examination of clinical signs and symptoms, radiological findings, mycological culture of respiratory samples and analysis of Aspergillus IgG antibodies. There was a close association between high levels of Aspergillus IgG antibodies and the presence of cavities. Although Aspergillus flavus was the predominant species among clinical isolates, the number of isolates was small to reach conclusions on the prevalence of this species as main cause of CPA in Cuba. From the eleven evaluable patients for the treatment with itraconazole (Lozartil®), nine improved their health status while two did not show any recovery. This drug is included in the therapy schemes for aspergillosis in Cuba.

Porous and highly dispersible voriconazole dry powders produced by spray freeze drying for pulmonary delivery with efficient lung deposition

Systemic administration of antifungal agents for the treatment of pulmonary aspergillosis is limited by the poor lung deposition and severe adverse effects. In contrast, pulmonary delivery allows a higher amount of drug to be delivered directly to the infection site and therefore a lower dose is required. This study aimed to develop porous and inhalable voriconazole dry powder with good lung deposition by spray freeze drying (SFD), using tert-butyl alcohol (TBA) as a co-solvent. A three-factor two-level full factorial design approach was used to investigate the effect of total solute concentration, drug content and co-solvent composition on the aerosol performance of the SFD powder. In general, the SFD voriconazole powder exhibited porous and spherical structure, and displayed crystalline characteristics. The analysis of factorial design indicated that voriconazole content was the most significant variable that could influence the aerosol performance of the SFD powders. The formulations that contained a high voriconazole content (40% w/w) and high TBA concentration in the feed solution (70% v/v) displayed the highest fine particle fraction of over 40% in the Next Generation Impactor study in which the powder was dispersed with a Breezhaler® at 100 L/min. In addition, the fine particle dose of the SFD powder showed a faster dissolution rate when compared to the unformulated voriconazole. Intratracheal administration of SFD voriconazole powder to mice resulted in a substantially higher drug concentration in the lungs when comparing to the group that received an equivalent dose of liquid voriconazole formulation intravenously, while a clinically relevant plasma drug concentration was maintained for at least two hours. Overall, an inhalable voriconazole dry powder formulation exhibiting good aerosol property and lung deposition was developed with clinical translation potential.