Aspergillus pulmonary disease in cystic fibrosis (CF) patients: multicentre perspective observational study based on new diagnostic tests to evaluate the prognostic value on the CF disease

In Cystic Fibrosis, the differential diagnosis between&nbsp;<i>Aspergillus</i> infection and CF complications is challenging. The study aims to&nbsp;investigate the role of <i>Aspergillus</i> diagnostic tests. The study was carried out in 3 Italian Center, including CF patients ≥18 years old. All patients performed a sputum sample for microbiological culture, galactomannan (GM),&nbsp;<i>Aspergillus</i> RT-PCR, and a blood test for specific IgE and specific IgG detection. We enrolled 164 patients. In table 1 we reported demographic and functional characteristics. Chronic respiratory pathogens were showed in figure 1. Sputum cultures yelded <i>Aspergillus</i> spp in 42 patients (25%). In table 2 we reported&nbsp;<i>Aspergillus</i> diagnostic test results. The GM was performed for 120 patients and tested positive in 21 of them (median index 3.5, range 0.75-5.9). On multivariated analysis adjusted for sex and age,&nbsp;we observed an association between positive GM and FEV1 (OR 0.98, 95%CI 0.96-1.00; p 0.063).