Revised clinical practice guidelines for diagnosing, classifying, and treating allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis/mycoses: a Delphi statement from the ISHAM-ABPA working group

Agarwal R, Singh Sehgal I, Muthu Vet al. Eur Respir J. 2024 Feb 29:2400061. doi: 10.1183/13993003.00061-2024.

Abstract

Background The ISHAM working group proposed recommendations for managing allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis (ABPA) nearly a decade ago. There is a need to update these recommendations due to advances in diagnostics and therapeutics.

Methods An international expert group was convened to develop guidelines for managing ABPA (caused by Aspergillus spp.) and allergic bronchopulmonary mycosis (ABPM, fungi other than Aspergillus spp.) in adults and children using a modified Delphi method (two online rounds and one in-person meeting). We defined consensus as ≥70% agreement or disagreement. The terms “recommend” and “suggest” are used when the consensus was ≥70% and <70%.

Revised International Society for Human and Animal Mycology (ISHAM)-ABPA
working group (AWG) consensus criteria for diagnosing allergic
bronchopulmonary mycosis (ABPM)

Results We recommend screening for A. fumigatus sensitization using fungus-specific IgE in all newly diagnosed adult asthmatics at tertiary care but only difficult-to-treat asthmatic children. We recommend diagnosing ABPA in those with predisposing conditions or compatible clinico-radiological presentation, with a mandatory demonstration of fungal sensitization and serum total IgE ≥500 IU·mL−1 and two of the following: fungal-specific IgG, peripheral blood eosinophilia, or suggestive imaging. ABPM is considered in those with an ABPA-like presentation but normal A. fumigatus-IgE. Additionally, diagnosing ABPM requires repeated growth of the causative fungus from sputum.
We do not routinely recommend treating asymptomatic ABPA patients. We recommend oral prednisolone or itraconazole monotherapy for treating acute ABPA (newly diagnosed or exacerbation), with prednisolone and itraconazole combination only for treating recurrent ABPA exacerbations. We have devised an objective multidimensional criterion to assess treatment response.

Conclusion We have framed consensus guidelines for diagnosing, classifying, and treating ABPA(M) for patient care and research.

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