Abstract book 2011 - ISHAM

FUNGAL INFECTION/CONTAMINATION IN THE SPUTUM OF CFPATIENTSDavid Shoseyov, Malena Cohen-Cymberknoh, Alexander Gileles-Hillel and EitanKeremCF Center –Hadassah Mt Scopus Medical Center, Jerusalem, Israel.Over the last decade there has been a significant increase in the prevalence of filamentousfungi in CF respiratory cultures, with increases in both Aspergillus and non-Aspergillus fungalspecies. However, the effects of fungi on lung function are not completely understood.Aspergillus fumigatus (AF) can cause Allergic Bronchopulmonary Aspergillosis (ABPA); animmune mediated sensitization to Aspergillus, but can cause also Aspergillus bronchiitis, adifferent entity than that may response to antifungal therapy. Candida albicans is the mostfrequent member of the Candida genus isolated from CF patients, but its clinical relevance inCF is still controversial. Other Candida spp. are of increasing prevalence in CF but theireffect on the course of disease is unknown.Method: A retrospective study assessed the correlation of fungal infection to the change inPFTs in two years (2002-203) and routine laboratory data. Two hundred fifty three patients'records were reviewed for this trial (Age 6 months to 51 year old and mean age 17.1). Intotal, 1229 positive sputum cultures were collected, from three major CF centers in Israel.Results: We found significant correlation between fungal infection caused by Candidaspecies and a lower FEV1%. We also found a significant correlation to antibiotic treatment.No correlation was found between laboratory results and fungal infection (CBCimmunoglobulins, ESR etc) nor genotype.Conclusion: Fungal infection prevalence is increased in CF patients who require moreantibiotic treatments. Further studies and prospective studies are required in order tounderstand their role in the respiratory deterioration.