title: Nebulizer delivery of micafungin aerosols.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To determine the optimal nebulization system for aerosolizing micafungin and to further assess the physiochemical properties of aerosolized micafungin.
  
  
  METHODS
  In vitro experiment.
  
  
  METHODS
  University research center. NEBULIZERS: Pari LC Star, Hudson Updraft, Small Volume Nebulizer, and Aeroclipse II.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Using a commercially available cascade impactor, the four nebulizers were tested for their ability to deliver micafungin to the lungs. Mass median aerodynamic diameter (MMAD) and fine particle fraction (FPF) percent less than 3.3 μm (FPF(3.3)) and less than 5.8 μm (FPF(5.8)) were determined during two sampling periods for each of three trials of all nebulizers. The mean ± standard error of the mean MMAD for the nebulizers ranged from 1.93 ± 0.09 to 2.49 ± 0.25 μm; FPF(3.3) and FPF(5.8) were approximately 50% and 90%, respectively, for all nebulizers.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Although all nebulizers appeared acceptable to deliver micafungin to the lungs, the Pari LC Star had the smallest MMAD and highest FPF(3.3) and FPF(5.8). These properties of the Pari LC Star should result in greater delivery of the aerosol to the lungs. Additional research on pulmonary delivery and clinical tolerability is warranted.
authors.affiliation: Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina 27710, USA. alexa011@mc.duke.edu
authors.forename: Barbara D
authors.initials: BD
authors.lastname: Alexander
authors.forename: Thomas P
authors.initials: TP
authors.lastname: Winkler
authors.forename: Shuai
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Shi
authors.forename: Elizabeth S Dodds
authors.initials: ES
authors.lastname: Ashley
authors.forename: Anthony J
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Hickey
mesh_terms: D000280:Administration, Inhalation; D000336:Aerosols; D000935:Antifungal Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000032:analysis; D016503:Drug Delivery Systems; D054714:Echinocandins / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000032:analysis; D006801:Humans; D055666:Lipopeptides / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000032:analysis; D000077551:Micafungin; D009330:Nebulizers and Vaporizers; D010316:Particle Size
chemical_list: D000336:Aerosols; D000935:Antifungal Agents; D054714:Echinocandins; D055666:Lipopeptides; D000077551:Micafungin