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We report the case
of a 21-year old man
with a long-standing
history of severe
asthma and allergic
rhinosinusitis who
developed
progressive
worsening of dyspnea,
wheezing, productive
cough, and nasal
obstruction, with
little response to
antibiotics and
repeated short
courses of oral
corticosteroids. A
diagnosis of
allergic
bronchopulmonary
aspergillosis was
made on the basis of
a combination of
clinical, laboratory
and radiographic
findings. Treatment
with oral
methylprednisolone
and itraconazole
resulted in an
improvement in
symptoms, lung
function and
computed tomography
results, as well as
in a decrease in
total serum
immunoglobulin E.
This case report
highlights the
importance of a high
degree of clinical
suspicion in order
to diagnose and
treat allergic
bronchopulmonary
aspergillosis in
patients with a
long-standing
history of severe
asthma as early as
possible as this has
a major impact on
prognosis. It also
highlights the
effectiveness of
itraconazole as
adjunctive therapy
to systemic
corticosteroids in
this condition.
Key words:
Allergic
bronchopulmonary
aspergillosis.
Aspergillus. Asthma.
Bronchiectasis.
Itraconazole. |