Bronchopulmonary torulopsosis

Abstract

A patient had clinical and radiographic findings suggestive of allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis. Further studies excluded this diagnosis but indicated that the patient's respiratory disease was due to the yeast Torulopsis glabrata, usually nonpathogenic in normal human hosts. The patient had no evidence of invasive disease. Total serum IgE was elevated but IgE antibody against T. glabrata could not be demonstrated by skin test or radioimmunoassay. Demonstration of elevated IgG antibody against T. glabrata antigen by radioimmunoassay was of value in suggesting the diagnosis. The patient responded to prednisone therapy with clinical and radiographic improvement and with a sharp decline in total serum IgE, and a lesser degree of decline in total serum IgG and IgA. Bronchopulmonary torulopsosis may be rare but should be considered in cases where the diagnosis of allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis cannot be established. Because IgE antibody could not be incriminated in this disease the term allergic bronchopulmonary torulopsosis was not used in this case.