Abstract

Introduction: Allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis (ABPA), which is predominantly a disease of severe asthmatic patients, is caused by hypersensitivity to aspergillus antigens. The prevalence of ABPA is speculative, as the few studies that were performed adopted widely different diagnostic criteria.

Material and Method: In this study, we aimed to evaluate the prevalence of ABPA in patients with moderate and severe asthma. ABPA-Central bronchiectasis (ABPA-SB) was diagnosed if a patient had asthma, central bronchiectasis, positive Aspergillus fumigatus skin test or positive serum aspergillus sIgE. ABPA-Seropositive (ABPA-S) was diagnosed if a patient had asthma, elevated total IgE level, positive Aspergillus fumigatus skin test and positive serum aspergillus sIgE.

Results: Of the sixty four patients, 71.9% had moderate asthma and 28.2% severe asthma. Positive Aspergillus sIgE was present in 2 patients (3.1%). Sensitivity to A. fumigatus with skin test was shown in a total of 4 (7.8%) patients. Central bronchiectasis was seen on HRCT in seven of the patients (14.6%) and central mucus impaction was seen in one patient (2%). In this study, ABPA was diagnosed in 2 (3.1%) patients. Two (3.1%) patients were evaluated as aspergillus-sensitive asthma.

Conclusion: Patients with ABPA had severe asthma. Therefore, ABPA should be considered in patients with poorly controlled severe asthma. (Tur Toraks Der 2008;9:151-6)