Allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis: a report of three cases

Allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis (ABPA), an uncommon but potentially destructive Aspergillus-associated pulmonary disease, is characterized by recurrent episodes of pulmonary infiltration and central bronchiectasis in patients with pre-existing asthma. It is important but difficult to find out ABPA from asthmatic patients because ABPA may lead to irreversible pulmonary fibrosis and there are much overlap in the clinical and laboratory findings between ABPA and asthma. However, once identified and treated early, patients with ABPA may respond well and the evolution to the end stage may be prevented. Here we report three documented cases of ABPA. One of them had no history of asthma but had the history of allergy to cosmetics. All three cases were suspected by the typical roentgenographic finding ("toothpaste" shadows) and were treated by short course of prednisolone with satisfactory clinical improvement.