Background
Allergic bronch opulmonary aspergillosis (ABPA) is a pulmonary disorder, occurring mostly in asthmatic patients and patients with cystic fibrosis, caused by an abnormal T-helper 2 lymphocyte response of the host to antigens.
Objective
To assess the value of thymus and activation-regulated chemokine (TARC) in the diagnosis of ABPA.
Patients and methods
A total of 75 consecutive patients, comprising 21 males and 54 females, with age range from 20 to 70 years, with mean age of 48 years, complaining of bronchial asthma and suspected to have ABPA with measurements of serum total immunoglobulin E (IgE), specific IgE, and TARC, were included.
Results
Compared with other serological markers of ABPA, it was revealed that TARC was superior to the other markers for diagnosis of ABPA. The sensitivity, specificity, and diagnostic accuracy for diagnosis of ABPA were as follows: 93.3, 100, and 91.7%, respectively, for TARC; 67.1, 93.3, and 63%, respectively, for total IgE; and 60, 100, and 62.4%, respectively, for specific IgE.
Conclusion
TARC marker has high sensitivity and specificity and can help in early diagnosis of ABPA.