title: Isolation of Exophiala dermatitidis from pigmented sputum in a cystic fibrosis patient.
abstract: A 16-year-old female with cystic fibrosis (CF) presented with an acute respiratory exacerbation during which black flecks were observed in the spontaneously expectorated sputum. The production of this pigmented sputum was subsequently attributed to Exophiala dermatitidis hyphae. Treatment with antibiotics, corticosteroids, and antifungal medications led to an initial resolution of symptoms and clearance of the black pigment from her sputum. However, the patient again presented nine months later with reappearance of the pigmented flecks and concomitant clinical deterioration and was subsequently treated with an extended course of voriconazole. To the authors' knowledge, this is the first case report of fungal colonization by E. dermatitidis presenting as black flecks spontaneously expectorated in CF sputum.
authors.affiliation: University of Missouri, Columbia, Missouri, USA.
authors.forename: Emily A
authors.initials: EA
authors.lastname: Griffard
authors.forename: Jesus R
authors.initials: JR
authors.lastname: Guajardo
authors.forename: Michael S
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Cooperstock
authors.forename: Caryn L
authors.initials: CL
authors.lastname: Scoville
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000935:Antifungal Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003550:Cystic Fibrosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000382:microbiology*; D005093:Exophiala / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008172:Lung Diseases, Fungal / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000382:microbiology; D009181:Mycoses / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000382:microbiology; D011743:Pyrimidines / Q000627:therapeutic use; D012008:Recurrence; D013183:Sputum / Q000382:microbiology*; D014230:Triazoles / Q000627:therapeutic use; D065819:Voriconazole
chemical_list: D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones; D000935:Antifungal Agents; D011743:Pyrimidines; D014230:Triazoles; D065819:Voriconazole