Fatal hypersensitivity pneumonitis

Antigen avoidance in people with hypersensitivity pneumonitis: A scoping review

BACKGROUND

Antigen avoidance (AA) is essential for people with hypersensitivity pneumonitis (HP). An intervention programme to promote continuous AA in people with HP will be the focus of future research.

OBJECTIVES

We systematically analysed the AA behaviour of people with HP, interventions of health-care providers to promote AA behaviour, clinical outcomes after AA, and evaluation methods after AA.

METHODS

We conducted a scoping review using six online databases and manual searches. Papers written in English or Japanese that reported cases on AA were selected. The extracted data were classified qualitatively.

RESULTS

In total 205 cases included in 109 eligible papers were examined.

CONCLUSIONS

This review clarified the fundamental evidence of AA in people with HP. These people required the continuous support of health-care providers to continue appropriate AA. This review highlighted four aspects that require further research to design interventions for promoting effective and continuous AA in people with HP.

Fatal Hypersensitivity Pneumonitis from Exposure to Fusarium vasinfectum in a Home Environment: A Case Report

BACKGROUND

Hypersensitivity pneumonitis (HP) is a rare, non-IgE-mediated inflammatory lung disease caused by inhalational exposure to various antigens found in occupational, avocational and home environments. The prognosis is favorable with early detection and prompt removal of the causative agent, and fatalities are unusual. We present a fatal case of HP caused by chronic exposure to Fusarium vasinfectum mold in the home.

CASE REPORT

A 37-year-old white male presented with a 6-month history of progressively worsening dyspnea, cough, weight loss and fatigue associated with the self-renovation of his water-damaged, mold-infested mobile home. Evaluation included a physical examination (hypoxia, inspiratory crackles and expiratory rhonchi), baseline pulmonary function testing (mixed obstructive/restrictive pattern), chest computed tomography (bronchiectasis, fibrosis and diffuse interstitial involvement), bronchoalveolar lavage (macrophages 20%, lymphocytes 28% and neutrophils 52%) and transbronchial biopsy (interstitial fibrosis and chronic inflammatory infiltrate). Mold culture from the home grew out F. vasinfectum. An Ouchterlony double diffusion technique documented high antibody titer to F. vasinfectum. Despite aggressive intravenous corticosteroid treatment, the patient's lung function declined to the extent that he could not be removed from ventilator support following an open lung biopsy, eventually resulting in death.

CONCLUSION

This is the first reported case of fatal HP related to an acute exacerbation of a chronic form of HP following continuous and intense exposure to F. vasinfectum. Although uncommon, a high index of suspicion for HP is necessary in patients with progressive respiratory symptoms and known environmental antigen exposure. With early detection and prompt removal of the causative antigen, HP prognosis is generally favorable, but can progress to fatal disease with continued exposure.

Pet birds and risks of respiratory disease in Australia: a review

OBJECTIVE

Exposure to birds has long been associated with disease in humans. Three respiratory diseases (psittacosis, allergic alveolitis and asthma) were reviewed in association with pet bird ownership with the aim to clarify the spectrum of avian-related respiratory illnesses.

APPROACH

Nineteen studies were selected for review based on recreational bird exposure in relation to psittacosis, allergic alveolitis and asthma.

CONCLUSION

Literature reveals little consensus on the relationship between pet bird ownership and respiratory illness.

IMPLICATIONS

Future studies should aim to clarify the spectrum of avian-related illnesses, and to direct the dissemination of public health information to clinicians and members of the public who keep birds as pets.

Les pneumopathies d’hypersensibilité en milieu professionnel

INTRODUCTION

Hypersensitivity pneumonitis (HP) is a granulomatous disease of the lungs due to immune reactions following chronic inhalation of organic dusts or chemicals especially encountered in the occupational environment. The main purpose of this review is to report current concepts regarding aetiologies, epidemiology, diagnosis, treatment as well as legal aspects of HP.

STATE OF THE ART

The following aspects will be focused: (1) increase in new etiological circumstances, especially occupational and news antigens, (2) for diagnosis, the major contribution of chest high resolution CT scan which often shows characteristic images but also recent developments in simple diagnostic criteria that may be used for an epidemiological approach, (3) importance of bronchial obstruction and even emphysema as a long term sequelae, finally (4) the possibility of continuing occupational activities in certain circumstances where preventive measures can be used.

PERSPECTIVES

The increasing knowledge of etiological agents and circumstances as well as the development of secondary and especially primary preventive measures should lead to reduce the frequency of this disease and of its medico-social consequences.