Long-term fungal cultures from sputum of patients with cystic fibrosis.

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. fumigatus 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.