ABSTRACT
In cases of simple extrinsic asthma, the patient presents with breathlessness and wheezing on exposure to Aspergillus spores. Immediate skin test to Aspergillus is positive.
Allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis consists of asthma with eosinophilia in the blood or sputum associated with transient segmental areas of collapse and consolidation on chest X-ray (most often in the upper lobes) beyond mucus plugs which consist of Aspergillus hyphae. This may result in proximal bronchiectasis (chronic infection) and requires oral steroid treatment which is occasionally lifelong. Aspergillus skin test is positive, as are serum precipitins.
