title: Clinical characteristics of biopsy-proven allergic bronchopulmonary mycosis: variety in causative fungi and laboratory findings.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The diagnosis of allergic bronchopulmonary mycosis (ABPM) has traditionally relied widely on Rosenberg's criteria, which emphasize immunologic responses while overlooking the investigation of mucous plugs as a primary criterion. Therefore, the characteristics of biopsy-proven ABPM require further elucidation. The aim of this study was to analyze the clinical characteristics of biopsy-proven ABPM and address whether full compliance with clinical criteria, such as the presence of asthma, and certain laboratory findings is necessary to establish a diagnosis of ABPM.
  
  
  METHODS
  We retrospectively analyzed 17 patients with biopsy-proven ABPM focusing on causative fungi and laboratory findings.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Causative fungi included Aspergillus sp. in seven patients, Schizophyllum commune in four patients, Penicillium sp. in two patients and unknown in five patients. Bronchial asthma was observed in 10 patients, eosinophilia was observed in 10 patients and an increased serum immunoglobulin (Ig) E level was observed in 14 of the 17 patients. IgG for Aspergillus sp. was positive in six of the seven patients with ABPM due to Aspergillus and turned positive in the remaining patient during follow-up. Technological limitations prevented the measurement of specific IgE for S. commune and IgG for S. commune and Penicillium sp. in most patients. Computed tomography revealed central bronchiectasis, pulmonary infiltration and mucous plugs in all patients.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Causative fungi other than Aspergillus sp. are not uncommon, and immunological tests for other fungi should be popularized. Asthma and characteristic laboratory findings, such as peripheral blood eosinophilia, increased serum IgE and precipitating antibodies, may not always be required to diagnose ABPM. The importance of typical pathologic findings of mucous plugs for diagnosing ABPM requires reevaluation. Further studies are needed to establish more elaborate diagnostic criteria for ABPM.
authors.affiliation: Department of Respiratory Medicine, Saitama Cardiovascular and Respiratory Center, Japan.
authors.forename: Takashi
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Ishiguro
authors.forename: Noboru
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Takayanagi
authors.forename: Naho
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Kagiyama
authors.forename: Yoshihiko
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Shimizu
authors.forename: Tsutomu
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Yanagisawa
authors.forename: Yutaka
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Sugita
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000908:Antibodies, Fungal / Q000097:blood; D001230:Aspergillus / Q000302:isolation & purification; D001249:Asthma / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000382:microbiology*; D001706:Biopsy; D001987:Bronchiectasis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D004802:Eosinophilia / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000382:microbiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007073:Immunoglobulin E / Q000097:blood; D007074:Immunoglobulin G / Q000097:blood; D055744:Invasive Pulmonary Aspergillosis / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000382:microbiology*; D008168:Lung / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010407:Penicillium / Q000302:isolation & purification; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012567:Schizophyllum / Q000302:isolation & purification; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed
chemical_list: D000908:Antibodies, Fungal; D007074:Immunoglobulin G; D007073:Immunoglobulin E