A new disease: a nasal form of pigeon breeder's disease.

Abstract

In 47 allergic rhinitis patients regularly exposed to pigeons, nasal provocation tests with pigeon dropping extracts, in combination with other parameters, were performed. Twenty-five of the 47 patients developed a late nasal response (LNR) to pigeon droppings (53%), six of them an isolated response and 19 a dual response (immediate + late). The precipitating antibodies to pigeon droppings were positive in 20 (80%) and to pigeon serum in nine LNR patients (36%). Late skin responses to pigeon droppings occurred in 15 (60%) and to pigeon serum in seven LNR patients (28%). In 13 patients (52%) general malaise, in seven (28%) increased blood eosinophilia, in nine (36%) increased body temperature and in 11 (44%) haemorrhages in the nasal mucosa were observed during the LNR. The results of this study provide evidence for the existence of a new disease, a nasal form of pigeon breeder's disease.