Pigeon breeders' disease—a prevalence study and review

Abstract

Among fifty-three Salt Lake City, Utah area pigeon fanciers, 21"/ were found to have the clinical picture of pigeon breeders" disease. This is a much higher frequency than has been observed previously. Abnormal spirometry and increased skin reactivity to pigeon sera were found more often, statistically significantly, in symptomatic than in exposed asymptomatic fanciers. Pigeon breeders' disease is associated with a variety of abnormal fmdings; skin test, precipitins, pulmonary function changes and radiographic derangements; bul unfortunately none ofthese are diagnostic. Pigeon breeders' disease is best identified by clinical criteria.

Effects of cigarette smoking on diagnostic tests for work‐related hypersensitivity pneumonitis: Data from an outbreak of lung disease in metalworkers

“…The initial analysis [Dangman et al, 2002b] supported the notion that metalworkers who smoked were less likely to develop HP, in agreement with the literature on pigeon breeder's disease and farmer's lung [Christensen et al, 1975;Warren, 1977; Terho et al, 1987a,b]. The ''protective effect'' of smoking against HP has been associated with reduced ''precipitin'' antibody responses to inhaled antigens [Cormier et al, 1985;McSharry et al, 1985;Banham et al, 1986; Terho et al, 1987;Anderson et al, 1988;Carrillo et al, 1991;Arima et al, 1992;Baldwin et al, 1998].…”

Bird Fancier’s Lung: Clinical-Radiological Presentation in 15 Cases

“…Bird fancier's lung (BFL) is a type of hypersensitivity pneumonitis occurring in response to avian antigens (usually inhaled proteins in bird feathers and droppings) in susceptible subjects [2] In a population-based study from the United Kingdom, the incidence of hypersensitivity pneumonitis was found to be 1 per 100,000 in the general population [3] while the prevalence of clinical disease in those regularly exposed to pigeons has been estimated to be 1 per 1,000. [4] The diagnosis is based on a combination of clinical, radiological, and biopsy characteristics. The aim of the present study is to assess the clinical, radiological, and pulmonary function testing including diffusion and histology in a sub-group of chronic hypersensitivity pneumonitis patients due to exposure to pigeons.…”

Role of cell-mediated hypersensitivity in budgerigar breeder's lung.

“…Many unsolved problems remain to be elucidated in the pathogenesis of hypersensitivity pneumonitis (Schatz et al 1977), but a number of studies have provided evidence which suggests a possible pathogenesis of this disease (Christensen et al 1975;Roberts and Moore 1977;Fink and Salvaggio 1978). Some studies have shown that the cell-mediated immunity response may be closely related to the pathogenesis (Moore et al 1974;Fink et al 1975;Schatz et al 1976b).…”

“…However, the apparent separation in the present study between the response of the two groups could well be a reflection of the small number (only three) of the asymptomatic subjects tested. In general, there is only a small percentage of persons suffering from hypersensitivity pneumonitis who are regularly exposed to the etiologic agents (Christensen et al 1975). This suggests that genetic factors, in addition to environmental exposure, may be involved in the induction of the disease.…”