[A retrospective study of 3 cases of severe asthma with fungal sensitization].

OBJECTIVE

to describe the clinical features and diagnosis of severe asthma with fungal sensitization (SAFS).

METHODS

the clinical data of 3 patients of SAFS from this hospital were presented, and the related literatures reviewed.

RESULTS

the 3 patients, 1 male and 2 females, aging 55, 52 and 61 years respectively, had a history of asthma for 4 - 40 years. All of them presented with severe asthma symptoms, and were found to have fungal sensitization by skin prick testing. Their serum IgE level was less than 1000 IU/ml. A. fumigatus was positive from sputum cultures. There were no radiological abnormalities such as pulmonary infiltrates and bronchiectasis by HRCT in all cases. The serum galactomannan (GM) was positive in 2 patients. After diagnosis, they received additional antifungal therapy for 4 - 22 months, respectively, and the prognosis was good.

CONCLUSION

SAFS should be considered in patients with severe asthma and sensitization to fungi but without elevation of serum IgE. Adjunctive antifungal therapy is beneficial for asthma control.