Seroprevalence of specific immunoglobulin G antibodies against aspergillus fumigatus among chronic persistent asthma

Background: Aspergillus fumigatus (AF) is responsible for 90% of human infections. The lung is the predominate site of infection. It is able to colonize in respiratory tract of asymptomatic population and changed clinical features from noninvasive to invasive according to immuncomponent state of individuals. The aim of the present study was to determine the frequency of AF immunoglobulin (IgG) antibodies among chronic persistent asthmatic patients in Tehran. Materials and methods: Chronic asthmatic patients, aged 15-60 years, were sequentially enrolled from out-patient respiratory clinics. The specific AF IgG antibodies, white blood cells count, peripheral eosinophil count, and immunoglobulin E antibodies were also measured. Results: Totally, 497 chronic stable asthmatic patients were studied with the mean age of 45 years. Aspergillus IgG antibodies were detected in 285 subjects (57.3%). The mean (±standard deviation) serum IgE level was 257.22± 338.07IU/mL (ranged from 3.9 to 4333 IU/mL). Chest X -ray abnormalities were noted in 25 patients ( < 0.01%). Conclusion: AF IgG antibodies were observed in more than half of the chronic stable asthmatic patients. Therefore, significant colonization of aspergillus fumigatus occurred in asthmatic patients without prominent clinical symptoms.