pulmonary disorders
Allergic Bronchopulmonary Aspergillosis (ABPA)
Pathophysiology
For unclear reasons, colonization in these patients prompts vigorous antibody (IgE and IgG) and cell-mediated immune responses (type I, III, and IV Classification of Hypersensitivity Reactions ) to Rarely, other fungi, such asPenicillium,Candida,Curvularia,Helminthosporium, andDrechslera, cause an identical syndrome called allergic bronchopulmonary mycosis in the absence of underlying asthma or cystic fibrosis. Aspergillusis present intraluminally but is not invasive. Thus, ABPA must be distinguished from Invasive Aspergillosis , which occurs in immunocompromised patients Aspergillomas, which are collections ofAspergillusin patients with established cavitary lesions or cystic airspaces long term (eg, patients with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) ) Although the distinction can be clear, overlap syndromes have been reported. 