[Allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis].

Allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis (ABPA) is a specific complex immunological response to the spores of Aspergillus fumigatus (Af) colonizing the bronchi of asthmatic or cystic fibrosis patients. Recurrent episodes of bronchial obstruction and inflammation, as well as mucoid impaction cause bronchiectasis, pulmonary infiltrates and fibrotic alterations of the lung parenchyma, resulting in significant morbidity and mortality. The pathogenesis of ABPA remains incompletely understood, so it is not clear why certain colonized subjects develop hypersensitivity to Af, and why some sensitized patients develop ABPA and others do not. There is no simple and specific test for diagnosing ABPA. The diagnosis is based on the combination of clinical, radiological and immunological criteria. Systemic steroids are the cornerstone of treatment.