Asymptomatic Pigeon Breeders Research Articles

Cell-mediated hypersensitivity in pigeon breeders.

This investigation was carried out to study possible differences in cell-mediated hypersensitivity between symptomatic and asymptomatic pigeon breeders. A variety of pigeon antigens were investigated using the indirect migration inhibition test. Cell-mediated hypersensitivity to pigeon antigens was detected in 6 of 8 symptomatic pigeon breeders, and in only 2 of 12 asymptomatic pigeon breeders. The results suggest that cellular mechanisms may be important in the pathogenesis of pigeon breeder's disease.

Immunologic events in pigeon breeders' disease

The immunologic and physiologic status of a group of symptomatic and asymptomatic pigeon breeders was studied in an attempt to define the immunologic events occurring in pigeon breeders' disease. Antibody activity to antigen(s) present in pigeon dropping extract (PDE) and pigeon serum (PS) was detected in the serum of both symptomatic and asymptomatic breeders. Antibody activity, however, tended to be greater in the symptomatic pigeon breeders. When subjects were challenged with PS via aerosol, serum complement activity became depressed only in asymptomatic patients. Cellular hypersensitivity to antigens present in PDE was detected in vitro in peripheral lymphocyte populations of 4 of 5 symptomatic breeders and in none of the asymptomatic breeders; cellular hypersensitivity to antigens in PS was not demonstrated in any of the individuals tested. These findings indicate that cell-mediated hypersensitivity, as well as humoral immunologic processes, may be involved in the pathogenesis of the hypersensitivity pneumonitis found in pigeon breeders.

Pigeon-Breeder’s Disease

The cell-mediated immune response to pigeon antigens was assessed in 12 symptomatic pigeon breeders, 14 asymptomatic breeders with precipitins, 25 asymptomatic breeders without precipitins and 10 control subjects. Significant lymphocyte stimulation by pigeon serum and/or pigeon droppings extract was obtained in 11 of the 12 symptomatic breeders but was not obtained in any of the other subjects studied. The lymphocyte response to pigeon antigens in culture is presented as the distinguishing criterion for the differentiation of symptomatic and asymptomatic pigeon breeders. This study supports a direct role for a T cell-mediated immune response to pigeon antigens in the immunopathology of pigeon-breeder’s disease.

Precipitating antibody against pigeon antigens in sera of asymptomatic pigeon breeders.

Abstract The purpose of the present study was to investigate the incidence of precipitating antibody against pigeon antigens in asymptomatic pigeon breeders and to evaluate the reaction on a semiquantitative basis. Sera from 200 pigeon breeders who were without the clinical features of pigeon breeders' disease were tested with pigeon serum and extract of pigeon droppings for the presence of precipitins. Over 40 per cent of the sera contained precipitins to the extract of pigeon droppings, while only 20 per cent reacted with pigeon serum. Strong reactions, comparable to those of acutely ill breeders, were seen with 2 sera tested against pigeon serum and 5 sera tested with the extract of pigeon droppings. Our data indicates that the presence of even strong precipitin reactions may not be indicative of pigeon breeders' disease, and this finding should be supplemented with other clinical features to allow a definite diagnosis.

Antibodies against pigeon serum proteins in pigeon breeders.

Abstract Sera collected from asymptomatic pigeon breeders, from individuals with pigeon breeders' disease, and from nonbreeder controls were compared by several immunologic techniques. The sera from symptomatic individuals contained higher titers of antibodies against pigeon serum proteins as demonstrated by immunodiffusion, hemagglutination, and passive cutaneous anaphylaxis. Immunoelectrophoresis of these sera revealed the presence of antibodies against some pigeon serum proteins which could not be found in the sera of asymptomatic breeders. Immunoelectrophoresis or passive cutaneous anaphylaxis appear to be the best immunologic techniques that can be used to differentiate asymptomatic from symptomatic breeders.