Abstract
ABSTRACTObjective: To evaluate the results of the tests used to identify the IgE mediated sensitization to Aspergillus fumigatus in patients with cystic fibrosis.Methods: This is a cross-sectional descriptive study with a convenience sample of 86 patients diagnosed with cystic fibrosis in the Reference Service in Cystic Fibrosis at a tertiary teaching hospital. The following tests were performed to assess the sensitization to A. fumigatus in patients with cystic fibrosis: Total serum IgE, eosinophil count, fungus detection through oropharyngeal swab or sputum culture, serum-specific IgE, and immediate-type hypersensitivity (IgE) skin tests. We compared the results of the different tests performed.Results: In 33 (38.4%) patients with cystic fibrosis, with ages ranging from 1 to 33 years (median of 8 years), the IgE-mediated A. fumigatus sensitization test results were: in 16 patients, there was an increase in serum-specific IgE (>0.35 kU/L); in 23, skin tests were positive; and six had sensitization in both tests. We observed two patients with eosinophilia (>1,000 eosinophils/mm3) and seven with increasing total serum IgE (>1,000 IU/mL), all of whom obtained negative results in skin tests and had no IgE increase specific to A. fumigatus. A. fumigatus was not detected in oropharyngeal swabs and/or sputum culture of any patients.Conclusions: We conclude that, among the tests used to assess sensitization to A. fumigatus in cystic fibrosis patients, both serum-specific IgE and immediate-type hypersensitivity (IgE) skin tests are required. Serum eosinophilia and respiratory secretion culture were not essential in this study.
Highlights
Cystic fibrosis (CF) is an autosomal recessive disorder with different phenotypes, more common among people of white ethnicity
The higher prevalence found in a survey conducted by the European Epidemiologic Registry of Cystic Fibrosis (ERCF), in comparison to that observed by the Epidemiologic Study of Cystic Fibrosis (ESCF), may be attributed to ethnic variances and the different diagnostic criteria used; the European criteria are more comprehensive than the ones used in the US study.[11,12]
33 (38.4%) showed an increase in A. fumigatus-specific IgE through RAST (≥0.35 kU/L) and/or positive results on immediate hypersensitivity skin tests
Summary
Cystic fibrosis (CF) is an autosomal recessive disorder with different phenotypes, more common among people of white ethnicity. At present there are no studies regarding the need to perform all tests to check for the patients’ sensitization to A. fumigatus, generating high costs to health care centers treating CF patients. In this context, the goal of this study was to evaluate the results of tests used to identify the IgE-mediated Aspergillus fumigatus sensitization in patients with cystic fibrosis
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.
