The role of basophil activation test in allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis and Aspergillus fumigatus sensitization in cystic fibrosis patients.

BACKGROUND: Allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis (ABPA) and Aspergillus fumigatus sensitization (AFS) are quite often observed in cystic fibrosis (CF) patients. The aim of this study was to evaluate the use of basophil activation test (BAT) in these manifestations of hypersensitivity reactions.

METHODS: BAT (CD63 and CD203c) was performed for 56 CF patients (17 ABPA, 24 AFS and 15 non-AFS). A receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis and a survival analysis were performed.

RESULTS: Both markers significantly contributed in ABPA diagnosis (P value<0.001 for both). Twelve AFS patients fulfilled the criteria for ABPA diagnosis during the follow-up period. The median time to ABPA diagnosis was 9months for patients whose values were over the best cutoffs (P value<0.001 for both).

CONCLUSIONS: BAT could be considered as an additional criterion for ABPA diagnosis in CF as well as a potential marker for the monitoring of patients with AFS.