[Asthma and its differential diagnoses]

Rev Port Pneumol. 2009 Nov-Dec;15(6):1185-91. doi: 10.1016/s0873-2159(15)30200-2.
[Article in Portuguese]

Abstract

Allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis (ABPA) occurs in immunocompetent patients and belongs to the Aspergillus induced hypersensitivity disorders. It is estimated that ABPA complicates approximately 7-14% of cases of chronic steroid-dependent asthma and the same amount of cases of cystic fibrosis. A diagnosis of ABPA is based on a combination of clinical, biological and radiology criteria. There is a broad spectrum of disease severity. Early detection and aggressively management will impede progressive lung damage to a severe and debilitating disease requiring lung transplantation. The authors describe the case of a 41 year-old female with a history of allergic asthma from childhood. It was a severe, difficult to control asthma treated with systemic corticosteroids for long periods.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • English Abstract

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Asthma / diagnosis*
  • Diagnosis, Differential
  • Female
  • Humans