Misdiagnosis of persistent asthma of a patient suffering from acute bronchopulmonary aspergillosis (ABPA)

Abstract

Background Allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis (ABPA) is a condition characterized by an exaggerated immune response (a hypersensitivity response) to the fungus Aspergillus (most commonly Aspergillus fumigatus ). ABPA causes airway inflammation that if left untreated can lead to bronchiectasis (an abnormal dilation of the airways) due to the immune system and fungal spores damaging sensitive lung tissues and ultimately leading to scarring. Case presentation We present a case of a 32-year-old female patient who was misdiagnosed with persistent asthma and treated accordingly for several months until a reexamination was done and a diagnosis of ABPA was concluded. Treatment was altered which led to the successful recovery of the patient. Conclusion A reevaluation of the patients’ condition was needed to arrive to the correct diagnosis and to put her on the correct treatment as an ABPA patient instead of persistent asthma, concluding that the medical history and physical examination are both of vital significance to stipulate a correct diagnosis.

Allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis misdiagnosed as smear negative pulmonary tuberculosis; a retrospective study from Pakistan

“…However, ABPA is a condition characterized by a hypersensitivity response to the fungus Aspergillus (most commonly Aspergillus fumigatus ). Patient may also misdiagnosed as chronic persistent asthma [ 10 ].To our best of knowledge, this is the first study conducted in Pakistan on the misdiagnosis of ABPA with smear negative TB. Our study clearly shows that APBA is still under recognized in the country.…”

Allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis in India

“…In our survey, most respondents (192/267, 71.9%) relied on a combination of clinical, immunological, and radiological criteria to identify ABPA exacerbation, while a small (3%) proportion relied on clinical symptoms only. Poorly controlled asthma resembles ABPA, 127 and distinguishing between the two requires immunological tests and imaging. Also, the reliance on only clinical and radiological criteria (10% of the respondents) is fraught with the risk of overdiagnosing exacerbation since certain radiological changes are persistent (e.g., bronchiectasis).…”