Fungal infections and treatment in cystic fibrosis.

[allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis]

This review summarizes some of the important recent findings concerning fungal airway infections in patients with cystic fibrosis (CF ). For many years , both researchers and clinicians have focused on the problems in CF caused by chronic bacterial airway infection with organisms such as Haemophilus , Staphylococcus and Pseudomonas . However , until recently , the lack of sensitive culture techniques to isolate fungi in sputum , bronchoalveolar lavage fluid and other respiratory tract samples has limited the recognition of fungal species and their possible role in CF airway infections .Recent studies using fungal-selective culture media and molecular techniques have shown a plethora of different fungal species in the sputum expectorated from CF patients . Cross-sectional studies have shown associations between Aspergillus and Candida in the sputum and worse lung function . The presence of allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis is likely to be a negative prognostic factor , but whether simple fungal colonization itself indicates future problems is not clear . Current research is now examining these epidemiological associations to try to determine the clinical implications . This will help determine whether fungal colonization /infection is associated with worse outcome in CF patients .At present , there is no conclusive evidence that fungal organisms cause respiratory decline . Recent studies of antifungal therapy in CF patients have reported differing results , so further investigations in this area are needed .

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allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis

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