title: Inhaled colistin for treatment of pneumonia due to colistin-only-susceptible Acinetobacter baumannii.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Colistin is used for the treatment of pneumonia associated with multidrug- resistant Acinetobacter baumannii and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. However, the best route of administration and dosage is not known. We report our experience with aerosolized colistin in twelve patients with pneumonia caused by colistin-only-susceptible (COS) A. baumannii.
  
  
  METHODS
  We retrospectively reviewed patients' medical records who were treated with aerosolized colistin for the treatment of pneumonia.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Ten patients were treated only with aerosolized colistin inhalation and two patients received a 3-day course intravenous colistin, and then switched to colistin inhalation therapy. The median duration of aerosolized colistin therapy was 17 days (5-31 days). Four patients were treated only with aerosolized colistin, whereas 4 patients received concomitant glycopeptides, and 4 received concomitant levofloxacin or cefoperazone/sulbactam. At the end of the therapy, the clinical response rate and bacteriological clearance rate was 83% and 50%, respectively. Colistin-resistant strains were isolated from 3 patients after aerosolized colistin therapy; however, all of them showed favorable clinical response. The median interval between inhalation therapy and resistance was 7 days (range 5-19 days). Acute kidney injury developed in 3 patients. Two patients experienced Clostridium difficile associated diarrhea. One patient developed fever and skin rash after aerosolized colistin therapy. No patient developed neurotoxicity or bronchospasm.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Colistin inhalation therapy is deemed tolerable and safe, and could be beneficial as an adjuctive therapy for the management of pneumonia due to COS A. baumannii. However, the potential development of colistin resistance cannot be overlooked.
authors: Department of Laboratory Medicine, Yonsei University Wonju College of Medicine, 20 Ilsan-ro, Wonju 220-701, Korea. u931018@yonsei.ac.kr.
authors: Hee Kyoung
authors: HK
authors: Choi
authors: Young Keun
authors: YK
authors: Kim
authors: Hyo Youl
authors: HY
authors: Kim
authors: Young
authors: Y
authors: Uh
mesh_terms: D040981:Acinetobacter baumannii / Q000187:drug effects / Q000472:pathogenicity*; D000280:Administration, Inhalation; D000368:Aged; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003091:Colistin / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011014:Pneumonia / Q000188:drug therapy*; D012189:Retrospective Studies
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D003091:Colistin
keywords: Acinetobacter baumannii; colistin; pneumonia