Clinical characteristics of people with cystic fibrosis and frequent fungal infection

Background Individuals with cystic fibrosis (CF) and fungal airway infection may present with fungal bronchitis, allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis (ABPA) or may appear unaffected despite fungal detection. We sought to characterize people with CF with frequent detection of fungi from airway samples and determine clinical outcomes. Methods This retrospective study included individuals with CF with ≥4 lower airway cultures over a 2‐year baseline period and ≥2 years of follow‐up. We defined two groups: ≤1 positive fungus culture (rare) or ≥2 positive cultures during baseline (frequent). Clinical characteristics and outcomes were determined. Results Between 2004 and 2016, 294 individuals met inclusion with 62% classified as rare and 38% as frequent fungi during baseline. Median follow‐up was 6 years (range: 2–9 years). Aspergillus fumigatus was the most common fungal species detected. Individuals with frequent fungi were older (13.7 vs. 11.7 years, p = .02) and more likely to have Stenotrophomonas maltophilia (35% vs. 17%, p