Prevalence and risk factors for recovery of filamentous fungi in individuals with cystic fibrosis

Background: Filamentous fungi are frequently recovered from respiratory cultures of individuals with CF. Methods: A CF cohort database was utilized to determine filamentous fungal prevalence and risk factors. Results: The prevalence of filamentous fungal isolation increased from 2.0% in 1997 to 28.7% in 2007. The odds of isolating filamentous fungi during a quarter was greater in CF adults [p<0.001], during chronic oral antibiotic use [p=0.002] and increased with each 10% drop in FEV1 percent predicted [p=0.005], while inhaled corticosteroids surprisingly decreased the likelihood [p=0.012]. The direction of these effects persisted after excluding individuals with ABPA. A sub-analysis determined older age [p=0.019] and use of inhaled antibiotics [p=0.011] were independent risk factors for onset of fungal colonization. Conclusions: This study suggests that isolation of filamentous fungi in CF at Riff has increased and risk factors include older age, decreased lung function, and chronic oral antibiotics. (C) 2009 European Cystic Fibrosis Society. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.