M033: Exophiala dermatitidis in patients with cystic
fibrosis: a survey in the Netherlands
Mouton JW, Brimicombe R, Weel J, Meis JFGM & Hoog S de
(Department of Clinical Microbiolgy, Erasmus University Hospital
Rotterdam, The Netherlands)
Recent reports from Gemmany (de Haase et al, Mycoses 34:373, 1991 ) indicate that Exophiala demmatitidis may play a role in colonization and infectious exacerbations in patients with cystic fibrosis. During routine cultures, however, this organism is usually not isolated. In this study, we determined whether E. demmatitidis or other fungi could be isolated using a medium specially suited for isolation of E. dermatitidis. Laboratories from 6 CF centres in the Netherlands participated in the surveillance. Sputum samples were cultured on Sabouraud glucose Emmons modified and erythritol-chloramphenicol agar (ECA) and incubated for four weeks. Culture results from 331 CF patients were obtained sofar. 253 patients were culture negative for fungi (yeasts were not counted as positive). Aspergillus spp. was isolated from 79 patients, and isolation rate was correlated significantly with age. Exophiala spp. were isolated from 6 patients. Penicillium spp. were cultured from 3 patients. We conclude that E. dermatitidis is not of major importance in the Netherlands.