Allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis and bronchial asthma, a forgotten partners

ABSTRACT

To evaluate the incidence of ABPA [Allergic Broncho Pulmanary Aspergillosis] in Asthma. Observational Study. This study was conducted at Pulmonology Department, Bolan Medical College Quetta from 2005-2010. Forty Cases both male and female were included in this study. A detailed medical history, complete physical examination, recent posteroanteral and lateral chest X.Ray were obtained. Where ever possible previous X-Ray chest were also obtained for comparison and to see the fleeting shadows. Laboratory help included absolute eosinophil count, total serum IgE, Sputum for fungal hyphae and spirometry. Among forty [40] cases 90% were asthmatics between 11-40 years of age. In 92% of cases the radiological findings were fleeting in nature. 70% were misdiagnosed and treated as pulmonary tuberculosis. All 40 case had raised [70.5 x 10[9] perlitre] absolute eosinophil count in peripheral blood. Sputum eosinophilia was detected in 77% of cases and fungal hyphae were isolated in 47% cases bronchospy and serum IgE levels were also abnormal but performed in only 25% cases. ABPA must be considered in asthma patients having unexplained, fleeting or persistent chest radiographic shadows