Eosinophilic granulomatous polyangiitis with allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis as a comorbidity: a case report and literature review / 中华风湿病学杂志

Objective:To explore the clinical characteristics, diagnosis and treatment of allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis(ABPA) with eosinophilic granulomatous with polyvasculitis(EGPA) as a comorbidity.Methods:We collected the clinical data of a patient with EGPA who sought treatment with ABPA as a comorbidity. We summarized the diagnosis and treatment process of the patient, and reviewed the literature. After that, we discussed the relationship between the pathogenesis of ABPA and EGPA and the diagnosis and treatment experience.Results:A 61-year-old male patient suffered from repeated coughing, expectoration, hemoptysis, wheezing. His blood eosinophils count and immunoglobulin (Ig)E level were elevated. He was tested positive for aspergillus fumigatus. His Computer Tomography (CT) showed pulmonary nodules and bronchiectasis. He was diagnosed as ABPA. He also suffered limb numbness, sinusitis, and renal dysfunction and was diagnosed as EGPA. His condition improved after treatment with glucocorticoids, immunosuppressants and antifungal agents. We reviewed the relevant literature and retrieved 10 case reports, of which 5 cases were diagnosed as ABPA first and then EGPA, 3 cases were diagnosed as EGPA first and then ABPA, 2 cases were diagnosed simultaneously. We found that there was a certain correlation between them in the pathogenesis, and the main treatment is glucocorticoids, immunosuppressants and antifungal drugs.Conclusion:ABPA with EGPA as a comorbidity is rarely reported, which reminds us that when diagnosing one of the diseases in clinical work, we should be alert to the coexistence of another disease to avoid misdiagnosis.

Retrospective high-resolution CT analysis of allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis / 中国医师进修杂志

Objective To investigate the high-resolution CT (HRCT) imaging characteristics of allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis (ABPA) to improve the diagnostic accuracy.Methods The clinical data of 21 patients with ABPA diagnosed in Dalian Second People's Hospital and Nanjing Lishui District Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine from January 2010 to June 2018 were retrospectively analyzed,and their clinical manifestations and HRCT examinations were statistically analyzed to summarize the HRCT imaging manifestations.Results Among the 21 patients,cough,expectoration and wheezing were the main clinical symptoms,followed by fever and hemoptysis;5 patients had a history of drug or food allergy.ABPA showed 18 cases of central bronchiectasis on HRCT,including 10 cases of simple bronchiectasis,9 cases with low-attenuation mucus,and 6 cases with high-attenuation mucus;patchy consolidation infiltration were seen in 11 cases;masses were seen in 2 cases;central nodules and tree buds were seen in 3 cases;mediastinal lymph nodes were enlarged in 6 cases.Conclusions HRCT imaging of ABPA is difficult to diagnose,and central bronchiectasis with high-attenuation mucus is characteristic.It can be used as a reliable basis for the diagnosis of ABPA imaging.Combined with clinical and laboratory examinations,it can generally be diagnosed clearly.

The diagnostic value of combined specific IgG and specific IgE of Aspergillus fumigatus in allergic broncho pulmonary aspergillosis and severe asthma with fungal sensitization / 中华内科杂志

This study aims to explore the diagnostic value of specific immunoglobulin E (sIgE) and specific immunoglobulin G (sIgG) of Aspergillus fumigatus in the diagnosis of allergic broncho-pulmonary aspergillosis (ABPA) and severe asthma with fungal sensitization (SAFS). A total of 17 ABPA patients and 14 SAFS patients were enrolled. The levels of sIgG [2 294.00 (1 527.00, 14 170.00) U/ml vs. 972.60 (650.90, 1 792.00) U/ml] and sIgE [8.77 (1.64, 16.85) kU/L vs. 1.04 (0.70, 2.05) kU/L] in ABPA patients were significantly higher than those in SAFS patients (P<0.05). Aspergillus fumigatus sIgG was strongly correlated with Aspergillus fumigatus sIgE (rs=0.797, P<0.001) in ABPA patients. When combined with Aspergillus fumigatus sIgG (>1 000.00 U/mL) and Aspergillus fumigatus sIgE (>1.00 kU/L), the sensitivity was 82.3% and specificity 78.6% for the differential diagnosis of ABPA and SAFS. It demonstrates the diagnostic value of Aspergillus fumigatus sIgG and sIgE.

A review of 42 asthmatic children with allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis

BACKGROUND: Allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis (ABPA) in children with asthma, not associated with cystic fibrosis, is yet to receive the recognition it deserves. OBJECTIVE: To highlight the presentation of ABPA in children with asthma. METHODS: This retrospective review documents the occurrence of pediatric ABPA over a period of 31 years in one unit. Children with asthma, eosinophilia and infiltrates on chest radiograph were screened for ABPA. In these patients, demonstration of immediate hypersensitivity response against Aspergillus species along with serological profile and pulmonary function testing were done. Bronchography/computed tomography (CT) of the chest demonstrated central bronchiectasis (CB). CT of the paranasal sinuses was done in patients with upper airways symptoms. In those suspected with allergic Aspergillus sinusitis (AAS) consent was sought from the parents for the invasive procedure needed for the diagnosis of AAS. RESULTS: Of the 349 patients with ABPA diagnosed, 42 (12.03%) were in the pediatric age group. The mean age on presentation was 12.9 ± 4 years with a male preponderance. All patients had asthma and positive intradermal/skin prick test against Aspergillus species. Ring shadows, the most common radiological presentation, were seen in 28 of 42 patients. Bronchography/CT of the chest demonstrated CB, a feature pathognomic of ABPA, in 32 of 42 patients. High attenuation mucus plugs was observed in 7 of 36 patients while ABPA-seropositive was diagnosed in 10 of 42 patients. On imaging, sinusitis was seen in 20 of 30 patients with upper airways symptoms of whom eight had suspected AAS. Three parents consented for surgery, which confirmed the diagnosis. CONCLUSION: This study highlights the need to evaluate asthmatic children for ABPA as also to exclude AAS.

Delayed diagnosis of allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis due to absence of asthmatic symptoms

Allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis (ABPA) is a pulmonary disease with small prevalence. Exposure to aspergillus mold causes immunologic hypersensitivity and may cause ranges of symptoms from minimal to detrimental outcomes. Diagnosing and treating the disease before the development of bronchiectasis may save the patient from poor outcomes. This report presents a case of recurrent ABPA without any symptom of asthma, which impeded the correct diagnosis even after numerous hospitalizations.

Allergic Bronchopulmonary Aspergillosis Presenting as Recurrent Mass-like Consolidation / 결핵및호흡기질환

Allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis (ABPA) is a hypersensitive disease showing various radiographic and clinical manifestations. Its clinical course has not been fully understood. Here I describe a case of a 23-year-old immunocompetent man with frequently relapsing ABPA. He was asthmatic. He visited our hospital because of a chronic cough. Laboratory examination showed eosinophilia with increased total and Aspergillus-specific IgE as well as positive skin reaction to Aspergillus fumigatus. Radiologic feature was a dense consolidation. Histology showed organizing pneumonia with eosinophilic infiltration. On the diagnosis of ABPA, he was treated with systemic steroid and itraconazole. Although treatment response was excellent, he suffered from recurrent ABPA three times thereafter in the form of fleeting mass-like consolidation.

Clinical efficacy of itraconazole combined with glucocorticosteroid in allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis / 中国医师进修杂志

Objective To evaluate the efficacy of itraconazole combined with glucocorticosteroid in allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis.Methods The clinical characteristics and data of 11 allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis patients treated with itraconazole combined with glucocorticosteroid were retrospectively collected before treatment and two months after treatment.Then the clinical characteristics and data before and after treatment were compared to evaluate the efficacy of the treatment.Results The symptoms and signs got better after two months' treatment.C reactive protein,IgE and eosinophile granulocyte count after two months' treatment were significantly lower than that before treatment [(7 ±2) mg/L vs.(42± 13) mg/L,(742 ± 236) kU/L vs.(1 685 ±477) kU/L,(343 ± 112) × 106/L vs.(1 925 ± 318) × 106/L],and forced expired volume in one second percentage of predicted and arterial partial pressure of oxygen after two months' treatment were significantly higher than those before treatment [(77.5 ± 8.6)％ vs.(32.4 ± 9.1)％ and (81 ± 12) mmHg (1 mmHg =0.133 kPa) vs.(53 ± 6) mmHg],there were statistical differences (P ＜ 0.01 or ＜ 0.05).The inflammatory exudates resolved as demonstrated in pulmonary CT scan.Conclnsion Itraconazole combined with glucocorticosteroid can effectively neat allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis.

Aspergillus Tracheobronchitis in a Mild Immunocompromised Host / 결핵및호흡기질환

Aspergillus tracheobronchitis is a form of invasive pulmonary aspergillosis in which the Aspergillus infection is limited predominantly to the tracheobronchial tree. It occurs primarily in severely immunocompromised patients such as lung transplant recipients. Here, we report a case of Aspergillus tracheobronchitis in a 42-year-old man with diabetes mellitus, who presented with intractable cough, lack of expectoration of sputum, and chest discomfort. The patient did not respond to conventional treatment with antibiotics and antitussive agents, and he underwent bronchoscopy that showed multiple, discrete, gelatinous whitish plaques mainly involving the trachea and the left bronchus. On the basis of the bronchoscopic and microbiologic findings, we made the diagnosis of Aspergillus tracheobronchitis and initiated antifungal therapy. He showed gradual improvement in his symptoms and continued taking oral itraconazole for 6 months. Physicians should consider Aspergillus tracheobronchitis as a probable diagnosis in immunocompromised patients presenting with atypical respiratory symptoms and should try to establish a prompt diagnosis.

Clinical analysis of allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis: a report of 48 patients / 中华全科医师杂志

To retrospectively analyze the clinical data of 48 patients with allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis (ABPA) at Shanghai Pulmonary Hospital.There were 23 males and 25 females with a mean age of (36 ± 15) years.Their clinical manifestations included wheeze,cough,sputum production,sputum plugs,fever,hemoptysis,weight loss,chest pain,weakness and night sweats.They had a high peripheral blood eosinophilia,a higher serum total IgE,a higher level of aspergillosis fumigatus-specific IgE and positive immediate skin-prick test to aspergillus fumigatus.Aspergillus species were detected in sputum samples of 26 patients.Chest computed tomography (CT) was performed in 48 patients.There were patchy infiltrations (n =45),transient infiltrations (n =40),central bronchiectasis (n =35) and mucoid impaction (n =18).Obstructive ventilation dysfunction was confirmed by lung function test.

The value of galactomannan detection in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid in the diagnosis of invasive pulmonary aspergillosis in elderly patients with lung diseases / 中华老年医学杂志

ObjectiveTo evaluate the role of galactomannan (GM) detection in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) in the diagnosis of invasive pulmonary aspergillosis (IPA) in elderly patients with lung diseases.MethodsThe elderly patients with lung diseases and suspected of having IPA were enrolled. BALF for culture and GM detection, and serum samples for GM detection were obtained from all participants.According to European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer/Mycoses Study Group (EORTC/MSG) with host factors, clinical criteria, mycological evidence and histological or cytopathological evidence, all patients were categorized into the proven, probable,possible and no IPA patients. The IPA patients were considered as IPA group while no IPA was considered as control group. ResultsAmong 76 enrolled elderly patients, 18 cases were diagnosed with IPA (1 proven, 11 probable and 6 possible), the remained 58 patients were as control group.Based on a GM index cutoff value of ≥0. 5, the sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value and negative predictive value for BALF were 83.3％, 82. 8％, 60.0％ and 94.1％, respectively; these variables in serum were 55.60％ , 91.4 ％, 66.7 ％ and 86.9％ , respectively. Using a GM index cutoff value of ≥1.0, the specificity and positive predictive value of both BALF GM and serum GM reached 100％, but the sensitivity and negative predictive value of BALF GM were higher than serum GM (66.7％ vs. 22.2％, 90.60％ vs. 80.60％, respectively). Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis yielded a sensitivity of 83.4％ and a specificity of 96.6％ at a BALF GM index cutoff value of ≥0.725. ConclusionsGM detection in BALF seems to be a useful tool in the diagnosis of IPA in elderly patients with lung diseases,and could be widely used in future.

Allergic Bronchopulmonary Aspergillosis Coupled with Sinusitis in a Nonasthmatic Patient / 결핵및호흡기질환

Allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis (ABPA) is a complex clinical entity resulting from an allergic immune response to Aspergillus species, and most often occurs in patients with asthma. ABPA is rarely observed in the absence of asthma, which is, in fact, the principal criterion for its diagnosis. Our patient was a 53-year-old woman with no history of bronchial asthma. She presented with a 1-month history of cough, mucopurulent nasal discharge, and localized pulmonary consolidation. Peripheral blood eosinophilia and elevated serum IgE were observed. Sinus radiography showed right maxillary sinusitis. Pathologic examination of bronchoscopic biopsy specimens revealed conglomerates of fungal hyphae. Pulmonary function and bronchial provocation tests were within normal ranges. The patient was successfully treated for 3 months with itraconazole and oral prednisolone. There has been no evidence of recurrence over a 7-month follow-up. ABPA coupled with sinusitis in a nonasthmatic patient is a very rare occurrence and warrants reporting.

Eosinofilia pulmonar / Pulmonary eosinophilia

As formas de eosinofilia pulmonar constituem um grupo heterogêneo definido pela presença de um ou dois critérios: infiltrado pulmonar com eosinofilia sanguínea e/ou eosinofilia tissular caracterizada por eosinófilos demonstrados na biópsia pulmonar ou no lavado broncoalveolar. Embora o infiltrado inflamatório seja composto de macrófagos, linfócitos, neutrófilos e eosinófilos, a presença de eosinofilia é um marcador importante para o diagnóstico e tratamento. A apresentação clínica e radiológica pode revelar eosinofilia pulmonar simples, pneumonia eosinofílica crônica, pneumonia eosinofílica aguda, aspergilose broncopulmonar alérgica e eosinofilia pulmonar associada à doença sistêmica, como na síndrome de Churg-Strauss e na síndrome hipereosinofílica. A asma está frequentemente associada, podendo ser um pré-requisito, como na aspergilose broncopulmonar alérgica e na síndrome de Churg-Strauss. Nas doenças com acometimento sistêmico, a pele, o coração e o sistema nervoso são os órgãos mais comprometidos. A apresentação radiológica pode ser considerada como típica, ou pelo menos sugestiva, para três formas de eosinofilia pulmonar: pneumonia eosinofílica crônica, aspergilose broncopulmonar alérgica e pneumonia eosinofílica aguda. A etiologia da eosinofilia pulmonar pode ser de causa primária (idiopática) ou secundária, compreendendo causas conhecidas, como drogas, parasitas, infecções por fungos e micobactérias, irradiação e toxinas. A eosinofilia pulmonar pode também estar associada a doenças pulmonares difusas, doenças do tecido conectivo e neoplasias.

Pulmonary eosinophilia comprises a heterogeneous group of diseases defined by eosinophilia in pulmonary infiltrates (bronchoalveolar lavage fluid) or in tissue (lung biopsy specimens). Although the inflammatory infiltrate is composed of macrophages, lymphocytes, neutrophils and eosinophils, eosinophilia is an important marker for the diagnosis and treatment. Clinical and radiological presentations can include simple pulmonary eosinophilia, chronic eosinophilic pneumonia, acute eosinophilic pneumonia, allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis and pulmonary eosinophilia associated with a systemic disease, such as in Churg-Strauss syndrome and hypereosinophilic syndrome. Asthma is frequently concomitant and can be a prerequisite, as in allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis and Churg-Strauss syndrome. In diseases with systemic involvement, the skin, the heart and the nervous system are the most affected organs. The radiological presentation can be typical, or at least suggestive, of one of three types of pulmonary eosinophilia: chronic eosinophilic pneumonia, acute eosinophilic pneumonia and allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis. The etiology of pulmonary eosinophilia can be either primary (idiopathic) or secondary, due to known causes, such as drugs, parasites, fungal infection, mycobacterial infection, irradiation and toxins. Pulmonary eosinophilia can be also associated with diffuse lung diseases, connective tissue diseases and neoplasia.

Prevalência de aspergilose broncopulmonar alérgica em pacientes com fibrose cística na Bahia, Brasil / Prevalence of allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis in patients with cystic fibrosis in the state of Bahia, Brazil

OBJETIVO: Determinar a prevalência de aspergilose broncopulmonar alérgica (ABPA) em pacientes com fibrose cística acompanhados em um centro de referência da Bahia. MÉTODOS: Estudo transversal, com coleta prospectiva de dados, realizado no Centro de Referência de Fibrose Cística da Bahia do Hospital Especializado Octavio Mangabeira. Foram incluídos no estudo 74 pacientes que tinham diagnóstico de fibrose cística, com idade acima de 6 anos e tratados entre 9 de dezembro de 2003 e 7 de março de 2005. Foram analisadas as seguintes variáveis: gênero, idade, capacidade vital forçada, volume expiratório forçado no primeiro segundo, resposta a prova farmacodinâmica, achados em radiografia torácica e de seios de face, presença de sibilância, culturas para Aspergillus spp., imunoglobulina E (IgE) total, IgE específica para Aspergillus fumigatus e teste cutâneo de leitura imediata para aspergilina. RESULTADOS: Dos 74 pacientes, 2 foram diagnosticados com ABPA. Níveis de IgE total > 1.000 UI/mL foram observados em 17 pacientes (23%), teste cutâneo de leitura imediata para A. fumigatus positivos em 19 (25,7%) e sibilância em 60 (81,1%). CONCLUSÕES: A taxa de prevalência de ABPA foi de 2,7%. As altas taxas de IgE total, de teste cutâneo imediato para A. fumigatus positivos e de sibilância sugerem que estes pacientes devam ser acompanhados cuidadosamente por haver a possibilidade do desenvolvimento de ABPA.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the prevalence of allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis (ABPA) in patients with cystic fibrosis treated at a referral center in the state of Bahia, Brazil. METHODS: A cross-sectional study, with prospective data collection, carried out at the Cystic Fibrosis Referral Center of Bahia of the Octavio Mangabeira Specialized Hospital. We evaluated 74 patients diagnosed with cystic fibrosis, older than six years of age, treated between December 9, 2003 and March 7, 2005. We analyzed the following variables: gender, age, forced vital capacity, forced expiratory volume in one second, pharmacodynamic response, chest X-ray findings, facial sinus X-ray findings, wheezing, cultures for Aspergillus spp., total immunoglobulin E (IgE), specific IgE for Aspergillus fumigatus and immediate skin test reactivity to A.fumigatus antigen. RESULTS: Of the 74 patients, 2 were diagnosed with ABPA. We found total IgE levels > 1,000 IU/mL in 17 (23%), positive immediate skin reactivity to A. fumigatus antigen in 19 (25.7%) and wheezing in 60 (81.1%). CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of ABPA was 2.7%. The high levels of total IgE, high incidence of wheezing and high rate of immediate skin test reactivity to A. fumigatus antigen suggest that these patients should be carefully monitored due to their propensity to develop ABPA.