Aerosolized Pancreatic Dornase and Antibiotics in Pulmonary Infections

Abstract

This study was undertaken to determine whether an enzyme, pancreatic dornase, plus an antibiotic aerosolized for endobronchial application via the intermittent positive pressure breathing/ inspiration machine would be a valuable adjunctive measure to systemic antibiotics in the treatment of pneumonias. Thirty patients with pneumonia have been successfully treated by this method. Half of these patients had staphylococcal pneumonia (some with lung abscesses). Pancreatic dornase was effective in lysing the endobronchial exudate, which became thinner and more easily expelled. Removal of a thickened exudate by this enzyme makes concurrent and subsequent application of an aerosolized antibiotic more effective.