Pulsating aerosol offers a new approach in the respiratory therapy of cystic fibrosis (BILD)

MUNICH and LISBON, Portugal (ots) -

- Cross reference: Picture is available at
http://www.presseportal.de/galerie.htx?type=obs -

New information on cystic fibrosis (CF) was presented at the 36th
European Cystic Fibrosis Society (ECFS) Conference from 12-15 June in
Lisbon.

At the symposium hosted by PARI GmbH, Prof. Niels Høiby of
Copenhagen University Hospital, Prof. Felix Ratjen of the University
Hospital of Toronto and PD Dr. Jochen Mainz of Jena University
Hospital discussed strategies for treating the upper airways to
reduce the risk of lung infections in CF patients.

Picture is available via epa european pressphoto agency
(http://www.epa.eu/) and can be downloaded free of charge at:
http://www.presseportal.de/pm/12670

Around 65% of CF patients have intermittent or chronic
rhinosinusitis (CRS). "CF patients have a genetic defect that also
affects the upper airways," stated Dr. Mainz. "The environment is
ideal for microorganisms, as the mucociliary clearance does not work
properly."

The Copenhagen team under Prof. Høiby supports the concept of "One
Airway-One Disease?: the upper and lower airways form an anatomical
continuum that is also relevant for microorganisms and inflammatory
mediators. In CF patients, the upper airways act like a reservoir for
bacteria, which can then spread from there into the lungs. The
genotypes of microorganisms in the upper and lower airways are
invariably identical, confirmed Dr. Mainz from Jena [2]. He described
transplanted CF patients in whom genotypically identical Pseudomonas
aeruginosa persisted in the nasopharyngeal cavity after LTX and from
there infected the new lungs [1].

In Jena, the upper airways of CF patients are therefore being
systematically investigated for typical CF microbes [3]. The aim, as
far as possible, is to use conservative means to prevent the
development of CRS and avoid the need for sinonasal surgery.
According to Dr. Mainz "the recurrence rate for sinonasal surgery is
high and the function of the nasal conchae can be impaired".

The PARI SINUS inhalation device is particularly suited as a
conservative therapy. It produces a pulsating aerosol and, by
creating differences in pressure, promotes ventilation of the
paranasal sinuses. In contrast to nasal sprays, the pulsating aerosol
actually reaches the paranasal sinuses and demonstrates a longer
retention time [4]. The data Dr. Mainz presented referred to the use
of tobramycin [5], dornase alfa [6] or salt solutions (0.9%, 6.0%),
CF-specific drugs, which can be nebulised with the PARI SINUS.

Pilot studies have confirmed the efficacy of the PARI SINUS in
improving the quality of life of CF patients. An ongoing
multi-centre, placebo-controlled study shows promising results.

Further information:
http://ots.de/SINUSitis

Reference:
http://ots.de/VcSNf

PARI SINUS inhalation video:
http://www.pari.de/anwender/video_center.html

Press contact:
Petra Kaden Tel. +49(0)8151-279-119