Fungal infections in cystic fibrosis patients

In the last two decades prevalence of fungal infections is increasing for various reasons. One of them is the advance of medical science and the associated longer life expectancy in some patient groups. This includes cystic fibrosis patients who encounter fungal diseases already in their childhood. Fungal pathogens isolated in high frequencies from the respiratory tract include Aspergillus fumigatus, Candida albicans and Scedosporium apiospermum. In the case of cystic fibrosis, these organisms normaly colonise the respiratory and intestinal mucosae and can cause hipersensitivity reactions and invasive diseases. The fungus-patient interactions are complex and depend on several different factors which determine what course will the colonisation/infection take.