A Case of Allergic Bronchopulmonary Fungosis Due to Penicillium Successfully Diagnosed by Bronchoscopic Examination

Abstract

A 31-year-old woman who had a history of bronchial asthma was admitted to our hospital with cough and purulent sputum. A chest X-ray examination showed pulmonary infiltrations in the left middle and lower lung fields accompanied by central bronchiectasis. The patient had eosinophilia and immediate skin reactivity to aspergillus, candida and penicillium. Serum precipitating antibodies against any fungi and elevated serum IgE, however, were absent. Bronchoscopic examination revealed bronchial inflammatory change with infiltration of eosinophils and mucous plugs containing numerous eosinophils and penicillium. Corticosteroid therapy ameliorated the symptoms and X-ray findings. We here present an unusual and informative case of allergic bronchopulmonary fungosis due to penicillium, which was successfully diagnosed by bronchoscopic examination.