IgE Sensitization to Aspergillus fumigatus Is Associated with Reduced Lung Function in Asthma

Rationale: The importance of Aspergillus fumigatus sensitization and colonization of the airways in patients with asthma is unclear.Objectives: To define the relationship between the clinical and laboratory features of A. fumigatus–associated asthma.Methods: We studied 79 patients with asthma (89% classed as GINA 4 or 5) classified into 3 groups according to A. fumigatus sensitization: (1) IgE-sensitized (immediate cutaneous reactivity > 3 mm and/or IgE > 0.35 kU/L); (2) IgG-only–sensitized (IgG > 40 mg/L); and (3) nonsensitized. These were compared with 14 healthy control subjects. Sputum culture was focused toward detection of A. fumigatus and compared with clinical assessment data.Measurements and Main Results: A. fumigatus was cultured from 63% of IgE-sensitized patients with asthma (n = 40), 39% of IgG-only–sensitized patients with asthma (n = 13), 31% of nonsensitized patients with asthma (n = 26) and 7% of healthy control subjects (n = 14). Patients sensitized to A. fumigatus compared with nonsensi...