title: Effect of aerosolized rhDNase (Pulmozyme) on pulmonary colonization in patients with cystic fibrosis.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Aerosolized recombinant human deoxyribonuclease (rhDNase I (Pulmozyme)) has previously been shown to increase pulmonary function and reduce exacerbations of respiratory symptoms in cystic fibrosis (CF) patients with moderate to severe reduction in pulmonary function.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To analyse whether aerosolized Pulmozyme could reduce the number of bacterial infections in the lower respiratory airways of CF patients without chronic pulmonary infection.
  
  
  METHODS
  Patients were randomized either to aerosolized Pulmozyme 2(1/2) mg once daily or to no rhDNase treatment. The study period was 1 y, and the study was blinded for the Department of Clinical Microbiology.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Overall, the number of positive cultures was significantly higher in the untreated group (82%) compared with the treated group (72%) (p<0.05). The most striking difference was found for Staphylococcus aureus, with a prevalence of 30% in the untreated group compared with 16% in the treated group (chi2 test, p<0.0001). Pulmonary function (FEV1) in the treated group showed a significant increase of 7.3% compared to 0.9% in the untreated group (p<0.05).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Long-term DNase treatment was beneficial to CF patients without chronic lower respiratory tract infection, leading to reduced demand for antibiotics and to improved lung function.
authors.affiliation: Department of Paediatrics, Copenhagen Cystic Fibrosis Centre, Copenhagen University Hospital (Rigshospitalet), Denmark.
authors.forename: Birgitte
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Frederiksen
authors.forename: Tacjana
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Pressler
authors.forename: Annelise
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Hansen
authors.forename: Christian
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Koch
authors.forename: Niels
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Høiby
mesh_terms: D000280:Administration, Inhalation; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003550:Cystic Fibrosis / Q000150:complications*; D003850:Deoxyribonuclease I / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D018410:Pneumonia, Bacterial / Q000517:prevention & control*
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; C085693:DNASE1 protein, human; D003850:Deoxyribonuclease I