%0 Journal Article %A C.W. Jonathan Lee %A Zaidi Seher %A Ewoma Ukeleghe %A Roger Howell %A Rob Niven %A David Denning %A Stephen Scott %T Prevalence of possible severe asthma with fungal sensitisation (SAFS) and allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis (ABPA) in a UK secondary care hospital %D 2013 %J European Respiratory Journal %P P977 %V 42 %N Suppl 57 %X BackgroundSevere asthma with significant symptoms is often difficult to treat. Investigating and treating possible aspergillus involvement such as SAFS or ABPA with antifungal medication may improve symptoms. Aspergillus sensitisation is also associated with bronchiectasis is in asthma. We wished to explore the prevalence of these conditions in secondary care. ABPA rates on hospital referral in other countries vary from 0.7 to 3.5% (typically 2.5%) and no estimate of the rate of SAFS has been made.MethodAll total and aspergillus specific IgE results for a 1 year period were reviewed along with Aspergillus (ASP) IgG from the hospital pathology database. CXR reports for those with any positive ASP were also reviewed.Results406 results were identified, 76 were invalid and 330 remained. 138 (42%) had IgE >100; 27(8%) met the criteria for aspergillus sensitisation in asrgma (raised aspergillus IgE) and 17 (5%) had raised ASP IgE although only 5 (2%) had all the criteria for ABPA (raised ASP precipitins, eosinophils & CXR change). Overall 44 (13%) patients had raised IgE and ASP IgE.ConclusionOver a 1 year period in a UK secondary care hospital, 13% of patients could potentially benefit from antifungal treatment of allergic aspergillosis of the lung. %U https://erj.ersjournals.com/content/erj/42/Suppl_57/P977.full.pdf