Allergic Bronchopulmonary Aspergillosis (ABPA) Diagnosis
How will your doctor diagnose you with this condition? Learn about the tests, exams, processes, and other information relating to the diagnosis of Allergic Bronchopulmonary Aspergillosis (ABPA) below.
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How to Diagnose Allergic Bronchopulmonary Aspergillosis (ABPA)
The doctor will ask about your symptoms and medical history, and perform a physical exam. Tests may include:
- Chest x-ray -a test that uses radiation to take a picture of structures inside the body, in this case the lungs
- Sputum tests-to check sputum for:
- Presence of AF
- High levels of eosinophils
- Blood tests to detect:
- High levels of eosinophils
- Antibodies suggesting an allergic reaction to AF
- Skin prick tests-to check for allergic sensitivity by placing small amounts of AF in the skin
- Biopsy of lung or sinus tissue
- Pulmonary function tests (PFTs) -used to monitor breathing capacity of the lungs
Since ABPA can appear quite similar to non-ABPA induced asthma, it is often difficult to determine to what extent ABPA is contributing to your symptoms. Therefore, ABPA is typically diagnosed after several repeat tests for ABPA are positive over a number of months or years.
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