96 Aspergillus spp. and Candida spp. detection in CF children: implications on lung function and hospitalizations

Objectives: Aspergillus spp. (Asp) or Candida spp. (CA) isolation from sputum samples in CF children is common, but with yet unclear significance. We studied Asp and CA isolation from respiratory secretions in CF children and their effect on lung function and hospitalizations. Methods: 8-year retrospective cohort study of 121 CF children (3,601 sputum samples). Isolation was defined as the presence of at least one positive culture. Multiple regressions assessed the effect on spirometry results and hospitalizations on study completion after adjustment for 10 confounders whereas simple comparisons were also performed. Asp (33.1%) was associated with genotype (p = 0.041), BMI (p = 0.037), pancreatic insufficiency (p = 0.005), ABPA (p = 0.006), pos corticosteroids >3months (p = 0.038), pos antifungal (p 3months (p 3months (p = 0.030), pos antifungal (p = 0.006) and rhDNase (p = 0.017). Asp was associated with FVC %predicted (b =−11.739, SE = 5.737, p = 0.045), FEV1%predicted (b =−14.734, SE = 6.598, p = 0.029) and hospitalizations (b = 2.458, SE = 0.916, p = 0.009) after adjustment for confounders while CA wasn’t. But, there was a trend toward significance for hospitalizations (b = 2.230, SE = 1.200, p = 0.068). Conclusions: Asp in respiratory secretions in CF children is associated with a decline in lung function and an increase in hospitalizations while CA tends to increase hospitalizations.