Presence of Fungus in Sinus Cultures of Cystic Fibrosis Patients

Abstract

Background Sinonasal pathology is nearly universal in the cystic fibrosis (CF) population. The bacteriology of sinus cultures from CF patients and the implications of sinus bacterial pathogens in this group have been studied; however, sinus fungal isolates from CF patients have not been examined in the literature. Methods We reviewed 30 consecutive CF patients undergoing endoscopic sinus surgery at our institution for the presence of fungal isolates obtained from the sinuses at the time of surgery. Results Thirty-three percent of fungal cultures were positive in this sample; in addition, two patients were newly diagnosed with allergic fungal sinusitis. Conclusion We examine the possible implications of positive fungal sinus cultures in the CF population.