Allergic Bronchopulmonary Mycosis Caused by the Basidiomycetous Fungus Schizophyllum commune

Abstract

We describe, to our knowledge, the first case of allergic bronchopulmonary mycosis (ABPM) caused by the basidiomycetous fungus Schizophyllum commune in an otherwise healthy woman. Bronchoscopic analysis repeatedly disclosed S. commune hyphae in the bronchi of the lingular lobe; these hyphae were originally misidentified as Aspergillus because the presence of clamp connections was overlooked. A lingular infiltrate with ectatic proximal bronchi, eosinophilia, an elevated serum level of IgE, and antibodies to S. commune supported the diagnosis. It is sometimes difficult to isolate and identify S. commune in clinical specimens, and hence only a limited number of cases of ABPM might have been correctly diagnosed in the past. We suspect, therefore, that some cases of ABPM caused by an allergic reaction to S. commune may be misdiagnosed as allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis or eosinophilic pneumonia of unknown origin. The significance of S. commune in allergic bronchopulmonary diseases is discussed.

Mucoid Impaction Caused by Monokaryotic Mycelium of Schizophyllum commune in Association with Bronchiectasis.

“…In addition, the role ofS. communein allergic disorders of the lung and the accessory nasal sinus has been indicated (5,9).…”

“…Neither accumulation of eosinophils nor Charcot-Leyden crystals were present in the mucous plugs. Several reports involving the lung were described as cases of allergic bronchopulmonary mycosis (ABPM) (5,6). However, the above-mentioned findings suggested that she had only mucoid impaction independent of hypersensitivity reactions caused by S. communein association with bronchiectasis.…”

“…Reports of infection caused by S. commune are rare ( 1-^). Reports involving the lung include cases of allergic bronchopulmonary mycosis (ABPM)in healthy female (5,6) and fungus ball of the lung (4). To our knowledge, no basidiomycete has been reported from a case of mucoid impaction in association with bronchiectasis.…”

Two cases of Schizophyllum asthma: Is this a new clinical entity or a precursor of ABPM?

“…Although it is well-known that Schizophyllum commune (S. commune), one of the BM fungi, causes mucoid impaction of bronchi (MIB) [11], allergic bronchopulmonary mycosis (ABPM) [12] and allergic fungal sinusitis (AFS) [13], it still remains unclear whether this fungus really causes or triggers asthma symptoms similar to Aspergillus species [14] or not.…”

The Influence of Schizophyllum commune on Asthma Severity

“…Although this fungus, one of the BM fungi, is well-known as a causative fungus of mucoid impaction of the bronchi (MIB) [10], allergic bronchopulmonary mycosis (ABPM) [11,12] and allergic fungal sinusitis (AFS) [13], the influence of the sensitization to the fungus in asthmatics has not yet been reported.…”