Immunotherapy of allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis: a clinical and experimental approach

Allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis (ABPA) is a severe allergic pulmonary complication caused by the saprophytic fungus Aspergillus fumigatus. The present review examines the pathogenesis of this disease describing in detail the role of innate and acquired immunity in the induction of sensitivity to A.fumigatus. Different approaches in developing specific immunotherapeutic treatments such as induction of anergy, regulatory cells, a switch from Th2 to Th1 type of immune response, CpG and genetic immunization and the usage of altered peptides or modified allergens are critically examined.