Allergic bronchonopulmonary aspergillosis (ABPA) is a serious disease which involves difficulty in breathing, lung damage (such as lung opacities and bronchiectasis) and severe allergy and high levels of IgE antibodies to Aspergillus species. ABPA also often involves production of thick mucin plugs and/or growth of Aspergillus species in the lungs. |
ABPA is very common in asthmatics (1 to 2% of all asthmatics) and cystic fibrosis patients (2 to 15%) and can greatly complicate both conditions. ABPA patients must limit exposure to Aspergillus and other molds (fungi) and frequently have to either leave their workplaces and homes and/or have their workplaces and homes remediated to reduce water and mold damage. {flike}
|