Recombinant SP-A for the treatment or prevention of pulmonary infection and inflammation

1. A method for treating a pulmonary infection or inflammation in a patient prone to or afflicted with such condition, comprising administering to a patient in need thereof a therapeutically effective amount of a lipid-free pharmaceutical composition in powder form comprising a pharmaceutically acceptable active component and a suitable carrier therefor, wherein the active component comprises recombinant surfactant protein A (rSP-A).

2. A method for treating a pulmonary infection in a patient prone to or afflicted with such condition, comprising administering to a patient in need thereof a therapeutically effective amount of a lipid-free pharmaceutical composition in powder form comprising a pharmaceutically acceptable active component and a suitable carrier therefor, wherein the active component comprises recombinant surfactant protein A (rSP-A).

3. The method according to claim 2 , wherein the pulmonary infection is bacterial, viral or fungal pneumonia.

4. A method for treating a pulmonary inflammation in a patient prone to or afflicted with such condition, comprising administering to a patient in need thereof a therapeutically effective amount of a lipid-free pharmaceutical composition in powder form comprising a pharmaceutically acceptable active component and a suitable carrier therefor, wherein the active component comprises recombinant surfactant protein A (rSP-A).

5. The method according to claim 4 , wherein the pulmonary inflammation is bronchopulmonary dysplasia.

6. A method for treating a pulmonary infection or inflammation in a patient prone to or afflicted with such condition, comprising administering to a patient in need thereof a therapeutically effective amount of a lipid-free pharmaceutical composition comprising a pharmaceutically acceptable active component and a suitable carrier therefor, wherein the active component comprises recombinant surfactant protein A (rSP-A).

7. A method for treating a pulmonary infection in a patient prone to or afflicted with such condition, comprising administering to a patient in need thereof a therapeutically effective amount of a lipid-free pharmaceutical composition comprising a pharmaceutically acceptable active component and a suitable carrier therefor, wherein the active component comprises recombinant surfactant protein A (rSP-A).

8. The method according to claim 7 , wherein the pulmonary infection is bacterial, viral or fungal pneumonia.

9. A method of treating a pulmonary infection or inflammation in a patient prone to or afflicted with such condition, comprising administering to a patient in need thereof a therapeutically effective amount of a lipid-free pharmaceutical composition in powder form comprising a pharmaceutically acceptable active component and a suitable carrier therefor, wherein the active component comprises recombinant surfactant protein A (rSP-A) and surfactant protein D (SP-D).

10. A method for treating a pulmonary inflammation in a patient prone to or afflicted with such condition, comprising administering to a patient in need thereof a therapeutically effective amount of a lipid-free pharmaceutical composition comprising a pharmaceutically acceptable active component and a suitable carrier therefor, wherein the active component comprises recombinant surfactant protein A (rSP-A).

11. The method according to claim 10 , wherein the pulmonary inflammation is bronchopulmonary dysplasia.

12. A lipid-free pharmaceutical composition in powder form comprising a pharmaceutically acceptable active component and a suitable carrier therefor, wherein the active component comprises recombinant surfactant protein A (rSP-A) and surfactant protein D (SP-D).

13. A lipid-free pharmaceutical composition comprising a pharmaceutically acceptable active component and a suitable carrier therefor, wherein the active component comprises recombinant surfactant protein A (rSP-A) and further comprises surfactant protein D (SP-D).

14. A method for treating a pulmonary infection in a patient prone to or afflicted with such condition, comprising administering to a patient in need thereof a therapeutically effective amount of a pharmaceutical composition according to claim 13 .

15. The method according to claim 14 , wherein the pulmonary infection is bacterial, viral or fungal pneumonia.

16. A method for treating a pulmonary inflammation in a patient prone to or afflicted with such condition, comprising administering to a patient in need thereof a therapeutically effective amount of a pharmaceutical composition according to claim 13 .

17. The method according to claim 16 , wherein the pulmonary inflammation is bronchopulmonary dysplasia.

18. A method of treating a pulmonary infection or inflammation in a patient prone to or afflicted with such condition, comprising administering to a patient in need thereof a therapeutically effective amount of a pharmaceutical composition according to claim 13 .

19. An article of manufacture comprising packaging material and the pharmaceutical composition according to claim 13 contained within the packaging material, wherein the packaging material comprises a label or package insert which indicates that the active component is useful for treating a pulmonary microbial infection or inflammation.

20. An article of manufacture comprising packaging material and a lipid-free pharmaceutical composition in powder form comprising a pharmaceutically acceptable active component and a suitable carrier therefor, wherein the active component comprises recombinant surfactant protein A (rSP-A) and surfactant protein D (SP-D) contained within the packaging material, wherein the packaging material comprises a label or package insert which indicates that the active component is useful for treating a pulmonary microbial infection or inflammation.