Tobramycin Treatment of Pseudomonas Aeruginosa Infections in Cystic Fibrosis

Abstract

Tobramycin treatment of chronic pulmonary infections caused by Pseudomonas aeruginosa in 13 children with cystic fibrosis was evaluated. Initially the patients received the recommended dose of 125 mg/m²/24 hours; the dose was then increased to 250 mg/m²/24 hours (approximately 10 mg/kg/24 hours). This higher dosage was administered intramuscularly to 9 patients. Eight of these received additional therapy with an aerosol containing tobramycin. With this therapy it was possible to eradicate Ps. aeruginosa from the respiratory tract in 5 of the patients. After discontinuing therapy Ps. aeruginosa re-occurred in all patients within one month. All patients showed a clinical improvement in relation to therapy. No toxic or allergic side effects were observed.