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Abstract The black fungus Exophiala causes a wide range of infections from superficial to subcutaneous, but also invasive fungal infections in immunocompromised patients as well as healthy individuals. In addition, Exophiala, is a common colonizer of the air ways of patients with cystic fibrosis. However, the source of infection and mode of transmission is still unclear. The aim of this study was to investigate the presence of Exophiala in samples collected from Swedish indoor environments. We found that the Exophiala species were commonly found in dishwashers and that Exophiala dermatitidis was the most common Exophiala species, being identified in 70% (26 out of the 37) of samples. Almost all E. dermatitidis isolates had the ability to grow at 42 °C (P = 0.0002) and were catalase positive. Voriconazole and posaconazole exhibited the lowest MICs, while caspofungin and anidulafungin lack the antifungal activities in vitro. Future studies are needed to illuminate the transmission mode of the fungi.

Aim: Minimizing cardiac arrest times is critical in extracorporeal cardiopulmonary resuscitation (ECPR). Pre-primed extra corporeal membrane oxygenator (ECMO) is used for this, but knowledge is limited to experimental studies. We prospectively investigated oxygenator function and sterility in dry plus wet pre-priming in a clinical setting. Methods: This prospective clinical study included 107 ECMO circuits used at Sahlgrenska University Hospital between October 2019 and December 2021. Circuits underwent dry set-up, followed by wet priming when the previous wet-primed circuit was used. Sterility was assessed by culturing the priming solution. Oxygenator function parameters, including sweep gas flow, fraction of oxygen (FiO2), and oxygenator resistance, were analyzed at ECMO initiation and during treatment using linear mixed models. Results: Median total set-up time was 14 days (range 0–97), with a median wet prime time of 6 days (range 0–57). 103 of 105 circuits with culture results were negative, two showed bacterial growth (coagulase-negative staphylococci and Cutibacterium acnes). Wet prime time did not significantly affect initial oxygenator function. Oxygenator resistance and FiO2 increased during ECMO treatment (0.035 mmHg/L min−1 (95 % confidence interval (CI) 0.015–0.055) P