Select the category the research project fits.
Physical Sciences
Is this submission part of ICaP/PW (Introductory Composition at Purdue/Professional Writing)?
No
Abstract
An ongoing focus of pharmaceutical research is enhancing the efficacy of inhaled medications indicated to treat lower respiratory infections like pneumonia. To achieve this, an inhaled drug must exhibit a high aerosolisation performance, or the ability of fine drug particles to disperse and act at the target site of action in the lungs. Proper deposition of the aerosol drug particles at the target site is dependent upon chemical properties and the aerodynamic diameter of the particles. Preliminary data demonstrated that the aerosolisation performance of colistin, a hydroscopic antibiotic, notably decreased when stored at a relative humidity (RH) of 75% due to its moisture absorption. To prevent moisture absorption, my goal is to combine two antibiotics, colistin and azithromycin, into one formulation to improve the combination drug’s delivery to the respiratory passageways and produce a synergistic effect. Both aims intend to reduce undesired side effects and minimize antibiotic resistance, respectively. Azithromycin, a broad-spectrum antibiotic, exhibits hydrophobic properties and is able to encapsulate colistin through spray-drying, a method used to generate a fine-particle powder. Additional methods include high-performance liquid chromatography and cascade impactor to assess the drug’s efficacy. Ultimately, simultaneous local delivery of colistin and azithromycin can not only treat multi-drug resistant bacterial infections, but it can also reduce side effects of long-term drug delivery. A better understanding of colistin and azithromycin’s properties is important in strengthening therapeutic methods to treat patients with lower respiratory infections.
Recommended Citation
He, Athena, "Synergistic Effect of Co-Spray Dried Colistin and Azithromycin for the Treatment of Lower Respiratory Infections" (2019). Purdue Undergraduate Research Conference. 42.
https://docs.lib.purdue.edu/purc/2019/Posters/42
Synergistic Effect of Co-Spray Dried Colistin and Azithromycin for the Treatment of Lower Respiratory Infections
An ongoing focus of pharmaceutical research is enhancing the efficacy of inhaled medications indicated to treat lower respiratory infections like pneumonia. To achieve this, an inhaled drug must exhibit a high aerosolisation performance, or the ability of fine drug particles to disperse and act at the target site of action in the lungs. Proper deposition of the aerosol drug particles at the target site is dependent upon chemical properties and the aerodynamic diameter of the particles. Preliminary data demonstrated that the aerosolisation performance of colistin, a hydroscopic antibiotic, notably decreased when stored at a relative humidity (RH) of 75% due to its moisture absorption. To prevent moisture absorption, my goal is to combine two antibiotics, colistin and azithromycin, into one formulation to improve the combination drug’s delivery to the respiratory passageways and produce a synergistic effect. Both aims intend to reduce undesired side effects and minimize antibiotic resistance, respectively. Azithromycin, a broad-spectrum antibiotic, exhibits hydrophobic properties and is able to encapsulate colistin through spray-drying, a method used to generate a fine-particle powder. Additional methods include high-performance liquid chromatography and cascade impactor to assess the drug’s efficacy. Ultimately, simultaneous local delivery of colistin and azithromycin can not only treat multi-drug resistant bacterial infections, but it can also reduce side effects of long-term drug delivery. A better understanding of colistin and azithromycin’s properties is important in strengthening therapeutic methods to treat patients with lower respiratory infections.