Long‐term fungal cultures from sputum of patients with cystic fibrosis

Abstract

Summary. Mycological examination of sputum from 121 patients with cystic fibrosis by means of long‐term cultures (4 weeks) revealed the occurrence of Candida albicans in low quantities in 70%, Aspergillus fumigatus in 30%, and Exophiala/ Wangiella dermatitidis in 9% of the examined patients. A. jumigatus frequently causes the development of allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis in patients with cystic fibrosis. The predisposing factors for colonization with the otherwise seldom found fungus E. dermatitidis in these patients and the consequences of these findings are discussed. In conclusion, long‐term fungal cultures are advocated for specimens from CF patients. Zusammenfassung. Die mykologische Unter‐suchung von Sputen bei 121 CF‐Patienten mittels einer Langzeitkultur (4 Wochen) ergab den Nachweis von Candida albicans in geringer Keim‐zahl bei 70%, Aspergillus fumigatus bei 30% und ExophialajWangiella dermatitidis bei 9% der unter‐suchten Fälle. A. fumigatus führt bei CF Patienten häufig zur Entwicklung einer allergischen bron‐chopulmonalen Aspergillose. Die prädisponieren‐den Faktoren für eine Besiedlung mit dem ansonsten selten isolierten Pilz E. dermatitidis bei diesen Patienten und die möglichen Konsequen‐zen werden diskutiert. Zusammenfassend ergibt sich aus dieser Studie, daβ Langzeitpilzkulturen für Proben von CF Patienten ratsam sind.

High Rate of Exophiala dermatitidis Recovery in the Airways of Patients with Cystic Fibrosis Is Associated with Pancreatic Insufficiency

“…To date, this is the highest reported detection rate of Exophiala in a CF population. Figures from other countries range from 5% in Germany to 15% in Belgium (11,20). Part of the variation in detection rates may simply be a consequence of microbiological techniques for the isolation of these fastidious fungi.…”

“…In addition, fungi such as Exophiala (Wangiella), non-albicans Candida spp., Penicillium spp., and Scedosporium spp. have been reported to colonize the respiratory tracts of these patients (1,11).…”

The development of the approaches for fungal pathogens identification directly in respiratory samples of cystic fibrosis patients

“…Раз-витие систематики грибов также влияло на расши-рение спектра выявляемых возбудителей микозов. Например, для эуротиомицета Exophiala dermatitidis со сложной таксономической судьбой было уста-новлено, что им инфицировано от 6,2% [22] до 9% [23] пациентов c МВ в Германии. Наконец, внедре-ние процедуры трансплантации легких для больных МВ также увеличило возможность инфицирования пациентов представителями царства Fungi.…”

Cystic Fibrosis Chronic Rhinosinusitis: A Comprehensive Review

“…It is considered a colonizer in pulmonary cultures. 59 The use of inhaled steroids in CF patients along with improved culture techniques are likely contributors to increased fungal recovery. Fungus was also retrieved in 33% of patients in a study by Wise et al, 60 with two patients fulfilling the criteria for allergic fungal rhinosinusitis.…”