Prophylaxis with nebulized liposomal amphotericin B for Aspergillus infection in lung transplant patients does not cause changes in the lipid content of pulmonary surfactant

Abstract

Background: Prophylaxis with inhaled liposomal amphotericin B has proven to be safe and effective for preventing infection due to Aspergillus spp in lung transplant recipients. However, the liposome contains a large quantity of phospholipids, and inhalation of these substances could potentially change the composition of pulmonary surfactant. The aim of this study was to determine the lipid composition of pulmonary surfactant in patients receiving inhaled liposomal amphotericin B prophylaxis.

Methods: A prospective, open, controlled multicenter study was conducted in 2 groups: 19 lung transplant recipients who received regular prophylaxis with inhaled amphotericin B (study group) and 19 recipients who did not receive inhaled prophylaxis (control group). From both groups, 15 ml of the third aliquot of bronchoalveolar lavage fluid was obtained and phospholipid content determined in the active fraction of surfactant (large aggregates) and in the inactive fraction (small aggregates). Large aggregate cholesterol content was also determined.

Results: Patient demographic data and characteristics were similar in the 2 groups. No between-group differences in median phospholipid content were found for large aggregates (study group, 0.4 [range, 0.18-1.9] μmol vs controls, 0.36 [range 2.15-0.12] μmol; p = 0.69) or small aggregates (study group, 0.23 [range, 0.1-0.58] μmol vs controls, 0.29 [range, 0.18-0.65] μmol; p = 0.33). The small aggregate-to-large aggregate phospholipid ratio, commonly used as a marker of alveolar injury, showed no differences between the groups (study group, 0.56 vs controls, 0.69; p = 0.28). Nor were there differences in the cholesterol content of large aggregates (study group, 0.04 μmol [range 0.01-0.1] vs controls, 0.04 μmol [range 0.02-0.27); p = 0.13).

Conclusions: These results seem to indicate that prophylaxis with nebulized liposomal amphotericin B does not cause changes in the lipid content of pulmonary surfactant.