Consort hypersensitivity pneumonitis

Abstract

To date, there is little information in the literature that hypersensitivity pneumonitis due to birds may occur without direct contact to birds.A 62-yr-old pensioner developed mild flu-like symptoms, fatigue and polyuria several hours after each meeting with his new female partner, either in hotels or his apartment. After divorcing from her ex-husband, who was a canary fancier, the female had moved into a bungalow ,6 months earlier. When the couple met for the first time at the bungalow, the patient's symptoms worsened and he developed shortness of breath. The patient had never entered the bird house or the married couple's house.Hypersensitivity pneumonitis was demonstrated by chest radiography, computed tomography, a restrictive ventilatory defect, decreased diffusion capacity and hypoxaemia after physical exercise. Sensitisation to canaries was shown by immunoassays. Canary antigens were detected by a polyclonal immunoassay at different locations of the married couple's house and the female's bungalow, where no birds had ever been kept.In conclusion, hypersensitivity pneumonitis should be recognised as a further consort disease, i.e. a disease that can be transmitted by partners.

Occupational hypersensitivity pneumonitis: an EAACI position paper

“…Collecting material from the workplace environment, for example, like settled dust or using personal or stationary airborne sampling equipment, is required when the suspected antigen is not commercially available or when the source of a hidden antigen has to be detected . Extracts from these material sources can be used as test antigens for direct IgG measurement or as the inhibitor phase in specific IgG inhibition tests . When fungi or other microorganisms are the suspected antigenic source, microbiological analysis of the sampled material may be important to document the causal role of the workplace but should be completed by the determination of antigenic activity by antigen‐specific IgG inhibition tests .…”

Exposure assessment in hypersensitivity pneumonitis: a comprehensive review and proposed screening questionnaire

“…Indirect exposure to avian antigens has also been reported. Three patients developed lung disease despite never having had direct bird exposure as a result of existing antigens in their homes from previous bird owners [ 20 – 22 ]. In another case, a mushroom worker developed suspected bird-related HP due to exposure to work-related poultry manure [ 23 ].…”

Optimierte IgG-Antikörperdiagnostik der Bettfedern-Alveolitis mittels EAA-Suchtest

“…Die Antigen-Epitope der niedertitrigen IgG-Antikörper sind speziesspezifisch [19]. [24], was anamnestisch meist primär nicht zu erfassen ist. Wichtig zu wissen ist, dass wegen der Kreuzreaktionen von lebenden Vögeln und den Daunen bei der Taubenzüchter-und anderen Vogelhalterlungen die Daunenfedern in Kissen und in Kleidung eine zusätzliche Allergenbelastung darstellen.…”