ALLERGIC BRONCHOPULMONARY ASPERGILLOSIS MISDIAGNOSED AS PULMONARY TUBERCULOSIS

Dr. Tushar Bansal*, Dr. N. C. Kajal, Dr. Kunal Bansal, Dr. Shagun and Dr. Satish Oberol

ABSTRACT

Allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis (ABPA) is frequency misdiagnosed as pulmonary tuberculosis. The differential diagnosis of ABPA should be considered before diagnosis and treatment of smear-negative pulmonary tuberculosis. Undiagnosed allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis (ABPA) can lead to chronic persistent symptoms. Due to chronicity of symptoms in countries like India where tuberculosis (TB) is widespread, a considerable number of ABPA patients are misdiagnosed as smear negative TB before being diagnosed with ABPA. This results in empiric use of ATT (Anti-tuberculous therapy) and delay in initial diagnosis of ABPA. Here we present a case of ABPA which was misdiagnosed as smear negative pulmonary tuberculosis before reaching our hospital.

Keywords: Allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis; asthma; pulmonary tuberculosis.