[Asthma and its differential diagnoses].
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.
Centro Hospitalar de Coimbra EPE, Serviço de Pneumologia, São Martinho do Bispo, 3000 Coimbra. alexitbento@gmail.com
Alexandra
A
Bento
Ana Maria
AM
Arrobas
D000328:Adult; D001249:Asthma / Q000175:diagnosis*; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans