Suppression of Pneumocystis carinii using aerosolized pentamidine treatment

摘要

A method of preventing clinically manifest Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia in immunocompromised humans is provided wherein an aerosol of pentamidine is administered to the patient in a manner which delivers the aerosol to the patient's alveoli. Also provided is a method of treating Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia in HIV seropositive individuals comprising administering a therapeutically effective amount of pentamidine aerosol to the HIV positive individual through inhalation. In addition, a method is provided of administering pentamidine to a human comprising aerosolizing a pentamidine solution in a nebulizer system having a one-way valve disposed between the nebulizer and the mouthpiece of the nebulizer system.