Treatment with inhaled antibiotics in bronchiectasis, side effects, and evaluation of the tolerance test; analysis from the BATTLE randomized controlled trial.

Introduction: Tobramycin inhalation solution (TIS) is a treatment option for patients with frequent exacerbations of bronchiectasis. A possible side effect of TIS is the development of chronic cough and bronchospasm, whereby the guidelines suggest a (in hospital) tolerance test with the first dose of TIS. However, data on respiratory adverse events are not consistent.

The effect of azithromycin on sputum inflammatory markers in bronchiectasis.

Background: Long term macrolide treatment has been found beneficial in bronchiectasis (BE) -pathogical bronchial dilatation- possibly due to a combined anti-bacterial and immunomodulatory effect. The exact mechanism of inflammatory response is unknown. Here, we investigated the effect of maintenance macrolide treatment on the inflammatory response in BE.

The BATTLE study: Effects of long-term tobramycin inhalation solution (TIS) once daily on exacerbation rate in patients with non-cystic fibrosis bronchiectasis. Study protocol of a double blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial: study protocol.

Background: Patients with bronchiectasis typically suffer from chronic symptoms such as a productive cough with or without exacerbations leading to hospitalization, causing reduced quality of life (QoL) and mortality. Long-term inhaled antibiotics to treat chronic bronchial infection is registered for use in cystic fibrosis (CF) bronchiectasis. However, in patients with non-CF bronchiectasis data on long-term antibiotics are limited.

Effects of long-term tobramycin inhalation solution (TIS) once daily on exacerbation rate in patients with non-cystic fibrosis bronchiectasis.

Background: Use of long-term tobramycin inhalation solution (TIS) has been shown beneficial in cystic fibrosis (CF) and earlier findings also suggest a benefit in non-CF bronchiectasis. We investigated the efficacy and safety of maintenance TIS once daily (OD) in frequent exacerbating bronchiectasis patients chronically infected by different pathogens sensitive for tobramycin.

Objective: The primary outcome was the frequency of exacerbations during the 12-month study period.

The effect of maintenance azithromycin on radiological features in patients with bronchiectasis - Analysis from the BAT randomized controlled trial.

Rationale: Bronchiectasis (abnormal dilatation of bronchi) is usually diagnosed by high resolution computed tomography (HRCT) and radiological severity has been found to correspond with clinical outcome. A beneficial effect of macrolides maintenance treatment in frequent exacerbating bronchiectasis patients has been established in randomized trials. This study was undertaken to prospectively evaluate the effect of long-term azithromycin (AZM) on radiological features in patients with bronchiectasis.