Allergic bronchopulmonary mycosis due to fungi other than Aspergillus: a global overview

Crit Rev Microbiol. 2014 Feb;40(1):30-48. doi: 10.3109/1040841X.2012.754401. Epub 2013 Feb 5.

Abstract

Allergic bronchopulmonary mycosis (ABPM) is a hypersensitivity-mediated disease of worldwide distribution. We reviewed 143 reported global cases of ABPM due to fungi other than aspergilli. The commonest etiologic agent was Candida albicans, reported in 60% of the cases, followed by Bipolaris species (13%), Schizophyllum commune (11%), Curvularia species (8%), Pseudallescheria boydii species complex (3%) and rarely, Alternaria alternata, Fusarium vasinfectum, Penicillium species, Cladosporium cladosporioides, Stemphylium languinosum, Rhizopus oryzae, C. glabrata, Saccharomyces cerevisiae and Trichosporon beigelii. India accounted for about 47% of the globally reported cases of ABPM, attributed predominantly to C. albicans, followed by Japan (16%) where S. commune predominates, and the remaining one-third from the USA, Australia and Europe. Notably, bronchial asthma was present in only 32% of ABPM cases whereas its association with development of allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis (ABPA) is known to be much more frequent. The cases reviewed herein revealed a median IgE value threefold higher than that of ABPA, suggesting that the etiologic agents of ABPM incite a stronger immunological response than that by aspergilli in ABPA. ABPM is currently underdiagnosed, warranting comprehensive basic and clinical studies in order to elucidate its epidemiology and to devise a more effective therapy.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Australia / epidemiology
  • Europe / epidemiology
  • Fungi / classification
  • Fungi / isolation & purification*
  • Immunoglobulin E / blood
  • India / epidemiology
  • Invasive Pulmonary Aspergillosis / epidemiology*
  • Invasive Pulmonary Aspergillosis / immunology
  • Invasive Pulmonary Aspergillosis / microbiology*
  • Japan / epidemiology
  • United States / epidemiology

Substances

  • Immunoglobulin E