Advance In Diagnosis And Treatment Of Allergic Bronchopulmonary Aspergillosis

Allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis(ABPA) is a non-infectious lung disease that results from a sensitization to Aspergillus. It is characterized by elevated peripheral eosinophilia and serum total Ig E level as well as pulmonary infiltrates and central bronchiectasis. The disease is easily misdiagnosed, and it will eventually develop into bronchiectasis and pulmonary interstitial fibrosis without treatment or effective treatment, so early diagnosis and treatment is of great importance. Elevated peripheral eosinophilia and serum total Ig E level as well as skin test positive and central bronchiectasis are useful to the diagnosis of this disease. Chest HRCT is an important means of checking the disease, and high-attenuation mucus is a pathognomonic imaging finding of ABPA. So far the combination of corticosteroid and antifungal drugs is an effective treatment of ABPA. Some other treatments are also being actively explored, such as nebulized corticosteroid and antifungal agents, anti-lg E monoclonal antibodies. But their effectiveness and safety needs further evaluation. In this article we will inquiry the relevant literatures of diagnosis and treatment of ABPA, analyze and summarize the contents of the literatures. This article reviews the current development of diagnosis and treatment of ABPA.