Objective: A cross-sectional study on allergic aspergillosis in COPD patients was conducted between 1 January 2015 to 30 March 2016 in four hospitals, Bogotá Colombia to describe the prevalence of Aspergillus spp. and clinical microbiological and immunological features in these patients 
Methods. All patients who met the selection criteria, are given a clinical examination by the investigator of the institution to complete the study informations and fill out the COPD Assessment Test (CAT™). Socio-demographic, clinical, radiological and laboratory data were recorded. Total leukocyte count, percentage of eosinophils, total IgE (T-IgE) and A. fumigatus specific IgE and IgG levels were reported. Sputum samples were obtained and were examined for bacterial and fungal growth.
Results. One hundred twenty-seven patients with COPD (64 females and 63 males) with a mean age of 74 (65-83) years were included. According to classification of the disease stages for the COPD patients, 65 (51.2%) belonged to GOLD stage III and IV, 45 (35.4%)   had a major dyspnea (mMRC > 2), 111 (87.4%) had a CAT equal or more than 10 and 32 (25.2%) were considered with frequent exacerbations. Twenty one (16.5%) and 47 (37.0%) patients presented eosinophilia and bronchiectasis respectively.  Aspergillus spp was isolated in 11.8% of COPD patients and 6.9 % had Penicillium species. Candida albicans was isolated in 51 (40.2%). Aspergillus spp. co-culture was not found while Candida spp and pathogenic bacteria co-culture was found in 10.2% of patients. The prevalence of increased serum T-IgE level was 10.2% and 3.9% (cut-off level of 114 kIU/L and 600 kIU/L, respectively). A. fumigatus hypersensitivity and A. fumigatus colonization were confirmed in 7.9%. Patients with A. fumigatus were on a higher ongoing use of inhaled corticosteroids compared to those who were culture-negative (45.5 % vs 93.3%, p=0.0005). There was no difference in other clinical, laboratory and radiological variables studied (lung function, assessment of symptoms, frequency of exacerbations, eosinophilia, total and specific IgE, specific IgG) in COPD patients who were Aspergillus spp. culture-positive compared to those with Aspergillus spp culture-negative. 
Conclusions. Findings from this study reveal that COPD patients presented not only Aspergillus colonization but also Aspergillus hypersensitivity. However, in this moment it was not possible to correlate these findings with lung clinical impact.

Aspergillus in patients with chronic lung disease in Colombia: The prevalence of increases serum IgE, Aspergillus sensitization and colonization