Role of fungi in allergic bronchitis

ABSTRACT

Sputum samples from thirty asthmatic patients with recurrent infections were examined for fungi, as well as for acid fast bacilli and other pathogenic bacteria. 60 of cases were positive for fungi; either alone or associated with other bacteria. No one case showed acid fast bacilli. Eosinophilic count and serum immunoglobulin E [IgE] level were significantly high in all cases. Most of the patients, especially those infected with Candida species, showed clinical improvement after antimycotic treatment. It was concluded that hypersensitivity to fungal antigens was accused in many cases of allergic bronchitis. So the role of fungi in such cases must be taken in consideration and should be thoroughly investigated in order to choose the proper line of treatment