Therapy against intractable respiratory infections with Pseudomonas aeruginosa

Patients with diffuse panbronchiolitis (DPB) are frequently affected by Pseudomonas aeruginosa superinfection. To elucidate the predisposing factors of Pseudomonas aeruginosa superinfection in patients with DPB, we analyzed the age of onset, duration of the disease, chest X-ray findings, blood gas levels, lung function, and bacteriological findings. These data were compared with those of patients who had not developed Pseudomonas aeruginosa superinfection. The administration of antibiotics and corticosteroids did not influence the incidence of Pseudomonas aeruginosa superinfection in DPB patients. The patients with long duration, more severe lung function and more deteriorated roentgenological findings developed Pseudomonas aeruginosa superinfection more easily. These infections in the lower respiratory tract significantly affect the prognosis of DPB patients. Using long-term administrations of a new quinolone antibacterial agent against DPB, acute exacerbations were controlled in some patients and the frequency of their admission to hospital was lessened. A multicomponent vaccine raised antibody titers against OEP, elastase, protease and exotoxin in DPB patients. Further clinical investigations are under way in our hospital to confirm the clinical usefulness of the Pseudomonas aeruginosa multicomponent vaccine in DPB from prophylactic and therapeutic points of view.