Randomized controlled study of aerosolized hypertonic xylitol versus hypertonic saline in hospitalized patients with pulmonary exacerbation of cystic fibrosis.

Background: Cystic fibrosis (CF) lung disease is characterized by chronic bacterial infection and recurrent pulmonary exacerbations. Xylitol is a 5-carbon sugar that can lower the airway surface salt concentration and augment innate immunity. We examined the safety and efficacy of aerosolized xylitol use for 2 weeks in subjects hospitalized with a pulmonary exacerbation of CF.