Title:
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Clinical immunology of allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis
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Allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis is a relatively
common complication of asthma in the United Kingdom. The
results of a comprehensive study on 111 patients on whom
this diagnosis was made are presented.
The diagnosis, which may be suspected on clinical or
radiological grounds, is established by immunological
methods.
Evidence is sought of Type I reagin mediated reaction
and Type III (Arthus) precipitin mediated reactions. It is
postulated that the mechanisms underlying the various
clinical and radiological manifestations of the disease
are based on these reactions.
The treatment of allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis
is unsatisfactory. Disappointing results were obtained on
hyposensitization. Corticosteroids are usually required to
control symptoms in this disease.
Further studies are required to obtain more detailed
information on many of the features of allergic
bronchopulmonary aspergillosis. Longterm follow-up of
patients is necessary to establish the course and prognosis
of this disease.
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