The isolation of Aspergillus fumigatus from airway secretions from pat
ients with cystic fibrosis (CF) is common and usually denotes asymptom
atic colonization or allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis (ABPA). A
12-year-old boy with CF acutely developed moderately severe symptoms
of unremitting cough, fever, dyspnea, weight loss, and cyanosis. Chest
radiographs demonstrated widespread unilateral infiltrates and volume
loss. By bronchoscopy tenacious mucous plugs were seen occluding the
left lower lobe bronchus. Cultures from sputum and sequential bronchoa
lveolar lavage grew Aspergillus fumigatus, but other significant crite
ria for diagnosing APBA were lacking. No improvement was seen with a 3
week course of systemic corticosteroid and antibiotic therapy. Treatm
ent with amphotericin B and short-term mechanical ventilation resulted
in rapid resolution of all symptoms. This form of endobronchial asper
gillosis has not been described previously. (C) 1993 Wiley-Liss, Inc.