A Clinical Evaluation of Definitive and Clinical Allergic Bronchopulmonary Mycosis

Abstract

Objective: The present study aims to overcome problems associated with the early diagnosis of allergic bronchopulmonary mycosis (ABPM) using the current criteria.
Patients and Methods: Clinical features including radiographic findings from 10 patients with definitive ABPM based on the diagnostic criteria of Rosenberg-Patterson were compared with those from 9 patients with ABPM clinically diagnosed by respiratory allergy specialists.
Results: ABPM should be considered in patients with peripheral blood eosinophilia and pulmonary infiltration and/or central bronchiectasis when serum total IgE is elevated. Complication by bronchial asthma suggested ABPM, but was not essential. The expectoration of sputum containing solid components was a critical factor in patients with a history in ABPM. Evaluation of sputum cultures, serum specific IgE antibodies, skin tests and precipitating antibodies were required to establish a diagnosis, but the positive rate of these tests remained low.
Conclusions: Even when a definitive diagnosis cannot be established, systemic corticosteroid therapy should be initiated for clinically diagnosed ABPM to prevent irreversible pulmonary dysfunction.