Pigeon fanciers lung: a case report

Pa Mehta,P Wills,Sw Dubrey,Sk Kohli

doi:10.1186/1757-1626-1-37

Abstract

IntroductionPigeon fanciers lung, a form of hypersensitivity pneumonitis, is an unusual but important occupational and recreational cause of severe and debilitating breathlessness.Case presentationWe report the case of a 61-year-old Caucasian man suffering with severe breathlessness due to pigeon fanciers lung. He had previously raced and bred pigeons for 25 years but had discontinued the pursuit a decade ago.ConclusionPigeon fanciers lung can be associated with severe debilitating dyspnoea and patients may present many years after exposure to avian antigens. Physicians should be encouraged to take a detailed occupational and recreational history in any patient presenting with unexplained breathlessness.

Highlights

Pigeon fanciers lung, a form of hypersensitivity pneumonitis, is an unusual but important occupational and recreational cause of severe and debilitating breathlessness.Case presentation: We report the case of a 61-year-old Caucasian man suffering with severe breathlessness due to pigeon fanciers lung
Hypersensitivity pneumonitis (HP) is a collection of allergic lung diseases caused by the inhalation of antigenic organic particles or fumes [1,2]
HP is histologically characterised by the triad of non-necrotising granulomas, chronic inflammatory change in small airways and diffuse interstitial infiltrates of chronic inflammatory cells [3,4]

Summary

Conclusion

Pigeon fanciers lung can be associated with severe debilitating dyspnoea and patients may present many years after exposure to avian antigens. We present the case of a patient with pigeon fanciers lung, resulting in severely debilitating chronic breathlessness. On clinical examination he was apyrexial, pulse 110 beats per minute, blood pressure 136/72 mmHg and tachypnoeic at 25 breaths per minute. The patient was known to be hypertensive treated with Amlodipine He was a life-long non-smoker and denied any exposure to asbestos or significant family history. He had previously bred and raced pigeons for 25 years but had abandoned this pursuit 10 years previously.

Discussion

Kaltreider HB