pulmonary disorders
Allergic Bronchopulmonary Aspergillosis (ABPA)
Introduction
Allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis (ABPA) is a hypersensitivity reaction toAspergillusspecies (generallyA. fumigatus) that occurs almost exclusively in patients with asthma or, less commonly, cystic fibrosis. Immune responses toAspergillusantigens cause airway obstruction and, if untreated, bronchiectasis and pulmonary fibrosis. Symptoms and signs are those of asthma with the addition of productive cough and, occasionally, fever and anorexia. Diagnosis is suspected based on history and imaging tests and confirmed byAspergillusskin testing and measurement of IgE levels, circulating precipitins, andA. fumigatus–specific antibodies. Treatment is with corticosteroids and, in patients with refractory disease,itraconazole. Allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis develops when airways of patients with Asthma or 