Which laboratory finding is typical of allergic aspergillosis?

Which laboratory finding is typical of allergic aspergillosis?

• A. Increased IgE and eosinophilia
• B. Decreased IgE
• C. Normal IgE
• D. Increased neutrophils

Answer: (C)

Allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis presents as an allergic (hypersensitivity) reaction to Aspergillus fumigatus, typically in people with asthma or cystic fibrosis. This immune response drives a marked rise in total IgE levels and a peripheral eosinophilia, reflecting the type I hypersensitivity and eosinophilic lung inflammation seen in ABPA. Therefore, the lab finding that best fits is increased IgE accompanied by eosinophilia. Decreased or normal IgE would not align with the allergic nature, and a high neutrophil count points more toward bacterial infection or non-allergic inflammation rather than ABPA.

Allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis presents as an allergic (hypersensitivity) reaction to Aspergillus fumigatus, typically in people with asthma or cystic fibrosis. This immune response drives a marked rise in total IgE levels and a peripheral eosinophilia, reflecting the type I hypersensitivity and eosinophilic lung inflammation seen in ABPA. Therefore, the lab finding that best fits is increased IgE accompanied by eosinophilia. Decreased or normal IgE would not align with the allergic nature, and a high neutrophil count points more toward bacterial infection or non-allergic inflammation rather than ABPA.