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Aspergillus hypersensitivity and allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis among asthma patients in eastern India

Tapashi Ghosh1, Atin Dey, Debabani Biswas

  • 1Department of Pathology, RG Kar Medical College, Kolkata.

Journal of the Indian Medical Association
|June 14, 2011
PubMed

Insights

Allergic bronchopulmonary Aspergillosis (ABPA) and aspergillus hypersensitivity (AH) are common in asthma patients. Early diagnosis requires clinical suspicion and laboratory support, with Aspergillus flavus being the most frequent isolate.

Area of Science:

  • Pulmonology
  • Allergy and Immunology
  • Mycology

Background:

  • Asthma patients often present with undiagnosed allergic conditions.
  • Aspergillus hypersensitivity (AH) and allergic bronchopulmonary Aspergillosis (ABPA) are significant but potentially overlooked complications.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To determine the clinicoradiomycopathological profile of ABPA.
  • To investigate the incidence of AH and ABPA in extrinsic asthma patients.

Main Methods:

  • Screening of 215 extrinsic asthma patients using the aspergillus intradermal test.
  • Further investigation for ABPA in patients positive for AH.
  • Microbiological analysis of sputum and broncho-alveolar lavage fluid cultures.

Main Results:

  • Out of 215 patients, 54 (25.1%) showed hypersensitivity to Aspergillus (AH).
  • 15 patients (7%) met the diagnostic criteria for ABPA.
  • Aspergillus flavus was the most common fungal isolate (40%), followed by Aspergillus fumigatus (26.67%).

Conclusions:

  • AH and ABPA are not uncommon in asthma patients in this region.
  • Accurate diagnosis necessitates strong clinical suspicion and robust laboratory backup.
  • Wider availability of fungal allergen tests could aid in diagnosing ABPA-like diseases caused by other fungi.

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