Abstract
Allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis (ABPA), which requires a set of criteria for diagnosis, occurs in atopic individuals, predominantly asthmatics. Oral corticosteroids are the cornerstone for the management of the disease. Allergic Aspergillus sinusitis (AAS), clinico-pathologically similar to ABPA, is also diagnosed with a set of criteria including demonstration of fungal elements in sinus material. Heterogeneous densities on computed tomography of the para-nasal sinuses are caused by the ‘allergic mucin’ in the sinuses. A combination of oral corticosteroids and surgical removal of impacted sinus mucin is the current approach to treatment. Despite common clinico-immunopathological characteristics, the co-occurrence of both these diseases is a rarely reported phenomenon. This could be due to the fact that the two diseases are often encountered by different specialities. Screening all asthmatics for Aspergillus sensitisation could identify those with severe disease and those at risk for developing ABPA. AAS must be excluded in all patients with ABPA and vice-versa.
Highlights
Aspergillus, a ubiquitous mould, causes disease, both in the healthy and immunocompromised subjects, with diverse clinical manifestations
In spite of overlapping mechanisms leading to both diseases, there have been very few studies which have evaluated the presence of allergic Aspergillus sinusitis (AAS) in patients of Allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis (ABPA) and viceversa
ABPA predominantly occurs in asthmatic subjects, it can occur without clinical asthma [7, 8]
Summary
Aspergillus, a ubiquitous mould, causes disease, both in the healthy and immunocompromised subjects, with diverse clinical manifestations. The three main clinical categories that are well identified are allergic aspergillosis, invasive disease and saprophytic colonisation [1]. Allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis (ABPA), predominantly occurring in asthmatics, was first described by Hinson and colleagues [2] in 1952, and its identity has been well established over the past six decades with reports from around the globe [3]. In 1981, Millar and colleagues [4] described the first case of allergic aspergillosis of the maxillary sinuses. Known as allergic Aspergillus sinusitis (AAS) [5], its clinico-pathological similarity to ABPA was recognised. In spite of overlapping mechanisms leading to both diseases, there have been very few studies which have evaluated the presence of AAS in patients of ABPA and viceversa. We present an overview of both ABPA and AAS, and their co-occurrence
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
