ALLERGIC BRONCHOPULMONARY ASPERGILLOSIS - A HISTORICAL-PERSPECTIVE

Allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis (ABPA) was identified in 1952, and in the second half of the century it was defined clinically, radi ographically, and immunologically. It is a complex disease that may sl owly progress to destructive lung disease if not diagnosed and treated . The evolution of the clinical patterns of ABPA, classification, sero analysis, radiographic studies, and immunopathogenesis are reviewed. A BPA in some cases of cystic fibrosis is discussed. The variants of ABP A, termed allergic bronchopulmonary mycosis, are briefly reviewed.