Experience with Aerosolized Imipenem in Patients with Cystic Fibrosis and Achromobacter xylosoxidans

Abstract

Achromobacter xylosoxidans is a gram negative non-fermentative rod that infects adult cystic fibrosis patients with moderate to severe lung compromise. Its clinical implications are still to be determined. The aim of this study was to analyze the impact of inhaled imipenem on forced expired volume in 1 sec (FEV1) and number of exacerbations in adult cystic fibrosis patients. Patients colonized by A. xylosoxidans with more than two intravenous antibiotic cycles and/or ≥ 5% FEV1 impairment during the last year were included. We included six patients with a mean age of 24.8 years. At the beginning of treatment FEV1 was 1.18 l (52%) with a mean of 3.4 exacerbations in the previous 12 months and 2.24 (p=0.04) the following 12 months. There was a significant difference between the initial FEV1 value and three months after treatment (p=0.005).