Allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis in Indian children with bronchial asthma

Area of Science:

• Pediatric Allergy and Immunology
• Respiratory Medicine
• Infectious Diseases

Background:

• Bronchial asthma is a common chronic respiratory condition in children.
• Perennial asthma, a persistent form, warrants further investigation for associated complications.
• Allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis (ABPA) is a hypersensitivity lung disease caused by Aspergillus fumigatus.

Purpose of the Study:

• To determine the incidence of allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis (ABPA) in Indian children diagnosed with perennial asthma.
• To identify clinical and immunological markers associated with ABPA in this pediatric cohort.

Main Methods:

• A cohort of 243 children with bronchial asthma was assessed, with 107 identified as having perennial asthma.
• Diagnostic methods included clinical and radiological evaluations, skin prick testing with Aspergillus fumigatus antigen, and serum IgE level estimations.
• Precipitin studies using Aspergillus fumigatus antigen were also performed.

Main Results:

• Out of 107 children with perennial asthma, a significant subset was evaluated for ABPA.
• Fifteen percent of the studied children met four or more established criteria for ABPA.
• This suggests a considerable prevalence of ABPA within the perennial asthma population in India.

Conclusions:

• Allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis (ABPA) is present in a notable proportion of Indian children with perennial asthma.
• The findings highlight the importance of screening for ABPA in pediatric asthma patients.
• Further research is warranted to understand the long-term implications and management strategies for ABPA in children.