Inhaled antibiotics for the treatment of pneumonia

Abstract

Purpose of review To describe recent developments in trials exploring inhaled antibiotics for treating severe pneumonia. Recent findings Three recent randomized studies investigated the potential role for aerosolized antibiotics for gram-negative pneumonia in ventilated patients. One single center, nonblinded investigation suggested a benefit with inhaled amikacin for resistant gram-negative infections. However, two multicenter, blinded trials found no benefit to adjunctive nebulized amikacin for severe gram-negative pneumonia. Summary Well done clinical trials do not support the routine use of inhaled amikacin for pneumonia in ventilated patients. There may be a potential role for aerosolized antibiotics when other options are limited.