Allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis

• Published in: Allergy (Copenhagen) Vol. 60; no. 8; pp. 1004 - 1013
• Main Authors: Tillie‐Leblond, I., Tonnel, A.‐B.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Oxford, UK Munksgaard International Publishers 01.08.2005; Blackwell
• Subjects: allergic; Allergic diseases; aspergillosis; Aspergillosis, Allergic Bronchopulmonary - diagnosis; Aspergillosis, Allergic Bronchopulmonary - microbiology; Aspergillosis, Allergic Bronchopulmonary - physiopathology; Aspergillosis, Allergic Bronchopulmonary - therapy; Aspergillus; Aspergillus fumigatus - physiology; asthma; Biological and medical sciences; bronchopulmonary; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Fundamental immunology; Humans; Immunopathology; Medical sciences; Immunopathology; Lung disease; Allergy; Mycosis; Respiratory disease; Bronchopulmonary; Asthma; Infection; allergic; Immunology; Aspergillosis; Bronchus disease; Obstructive pulmonary disease
• ISSN: 0105-4538; 1398-9995
• DOI: 10.1111/j.1398-9995.2005.00887.x

Allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis (ABPA) occurs in nonimmunocompromised patients and belongs to the hypersensitivity disorders induced by Aspergillus. Genetic factors and activation of bronchial epithelial cells in asthma or cystic fibrosis are responsible for the development of a CD4+Th2 lymphocyte activation and IgE, IgG and IgA‐AF antibodies production. The diagnosis of ABPA is based on the presence of a combination of clinical, biological and radiological criteria. The severity of the disease is related to corticosteroid‐dependant asthma or/and diffuse bronchiectasis with fibrosis. The treatment is based on oral corticosteroids for 6–8 weeks at acute phase or exacerbation and itraconazole is now recommended and validated at a dose of 200 mg/day for a duration of 16 weeks.