EPS02.7 Significance of fungal isolation in CF paediatric patients

Abstract

Objectives The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence and species distribution of fungi isolated from respiratory specimens from patients with respiratory exacerbations of CF. Methods 125 paediatric CF patients (65 boys and 60 girls) treated in the CMHI in Warsaw were included. From January 2000 to December 2014, 630 samples were collected (258 sputum, 265 throat swabs and 107 nasal swabs). Positive cultures were identified by API ID 32C test. Moulds were identified by their macroscopic and microscopic features. Results From all 630 samples only 122 (96%) were positive for fungal cultures (26% of sputum, 12% throat swabs and 14% nasal swabs). The most frequently isolated species were: Candida albicans (63%) followed by Aspergillus fumigatus (14%), Trichophyton schoenleinii (5%), Aspergillus candidus (4%), Candida glabrata (4%), Candida dubliniensis (4%). Other isolates (5%) included: Candida krusei, Candida inconspicua, Candida tropicalis, Candida famata. One CF patient during severe period of the respiratory disease was simultaneously colonized by few species, i.e.: Candida dubliniensis, Candida lusitaniae, Aspergillus fumigatus and Scedosporium spp. Conclusion On the basis of fungal isolations from sputum it is hard to differentiate between fungal colonization and infection. There are difficulties in designing proper diagnostic procedures and pathogen isolation from bacterial contaminated samples and problems with establishing proper clinical diagnosis. That is why there is a need to set better laboratory standards in diagnostic of clinical material obtained from CF patients.