Allergic Bronchopulmonary Aspergillosis (ABPA)
by
Rick Alan DefinitionAllergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis (ABPA) is an allergic lung disorder. It is related to a fungus. Aspergillosis can also occur as:
CausesABPA is caused by an allergic reaction to an inhaled fungus. It grows and flourishes in decaying vegetation, soil, certain foods, dust, and water. The inhaled fungus colonizes mucus in the lungs, causing:
Risk FactorsFactors that may increase your chances of ABPA:
SymptomsSymptoms of ABPA are usually those of progressive asthma. These include:
As ABPA progresses, other symptoms may occur:
DiagnosisYou will be asked about your symptoms and medical history. A physical exam will be done. Images may be taken of your bodily structures. This can be done with:
Your bodily fluids and tissues may be tested. This can be done with:
Your lungs may be tested. This can be done with pulmonary function tests (PFTs). ABPA can appear quite similar to non-ABPA induced asthma. ABPA is typically diagnosed after several repeat tests for ABPA are positive over a number of months or years. TreatmentThe goals of treatment include:
ABPA is usually treated with:
PreventionAvoiding exposure to fungus is the best way to prevent ABPA. However, this is difficult because fungus is so prevalent in the environment. Guidelines to help prevent exposure to the fungus include:
Measures to avoid symptoms and prevent permanent lung damage caused by ABPA include:
RESOURCES:American Lung Association http://www.lung.org Centers for Disease Control and Prevention https://www.cdc.gov References:
Allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis. EBSCO DynaMed Plus website. Available at:
http://www.dynamed...
. Updated January 6, 2017. Accessed December 11, 2017.
Allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis (ABPA). American Academy of Allergy Asthma & Immunology website. Available at: ...(Click grey area to select URL) Accessed December 11, 2017. Wark PA, Gibson PG, Wilson AJ. Azoles for allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis associated with asthma. Cochrane Database Syst Rev 2004;(3): CD001108. Last reviewed November 2018 by
EBSCO Medical Review Board
David L. Horn, MD, FACP Last Updated: 12/20/2014 |
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