Bird Fancier's Lung Which Developed in a Pigeon Breeder Presenting Organizing Pneumonia

Takafumi Ito; Keishi Sugino; Daisuke Satoh; Yoko Muramatsu; Go Sano; Keita Sato; Shinji Sakaguchi; Kazutoshi Isobe; Susumu Sakamoto; Yujiro Takai; Yoshinobu Hata; Kazutoshi Shibuya; Toshimasa Uekusa; Atsuko Kurosaki; Sakae Homma

doi:10.2169/internalmedicine.49.3664

CASE REPORTS

Bird Fancier's Lung Which Developed in a Pigeon Breeder Presenting Organizing Pneumonia

Takafumi Ito, Keishi Sugino, Daisuke Satoh, Yoko Muramatsu, Go Sano, Keita Sato, Shinji Sakaguchi, Kazutoshi Isobe, Susumu Sakamoto, Yujiro Takai, Yoshinobu Hata, Kazutoshi Shibuya, Toshimasa Uekusa, Atsuko Kurosaki, Sakae Homma

Author information

Takafumi Ito
Department of Respiratory Medicine, Toho University Omori Medical Center
Keishi Sugino
Department of Respiratory Medicine, Toho University Omori Medical Center
Daisuke Satoh
Department of Respiratory Medicine, Toho University Omori Medical Center
Yoko Muramatsu
Department of Respiratory Medicine, Toho University Omori Medical Center
Go Sano
Department of Respiratory Medicine, Toho University Omori Medical Center
Keita Sato
Department of Respiratory Medicine, Toho University Omori Medical Center
Shinji Sakaguchi
Department of Respiratory Medicine, Toho University Omori Medical Center
Kazutoshi Isobe
Department of Respiratory Medicine, Toho University Omori Medical Center
Susumu Sakamoto
Department of Respiratory Medicine, Toho University Omori Medical Center
Yujiro Takai
Department of Respiratory Medicine, Toho University Omori Medical Center
Yoshinobu Hata
Department of Chest Surgery, Toho University Omori Medical Center
Kazutoshi Shibuya
Department of Pathology, Toho University Omori Medical Center
Toshimasa Uekusa
Department of Pathology, Labor Health and Welfare Organization Kanto Rosai Hospital
Atsuko Kurosaki
Department of Diagnostic Radiology, Toranomon Hospital
Sakae Homma
Department of Respiratory Medicine, Toho University Omori Medical Center

Keywords: hypersensitivity pneumonitis, bird fancier's lung, pigeon, reversed halo sign, organizing pneumonia

JOURNAL OPEN ACCESS

2010 Volume 49 Issue 23 Pages 2605-2608

DOI https://doi.org/10.2169/internalmedicine.49.3664

Details

Abstract

Bird fancier's lung (BFL) is one of the most common types of hypersensitivity pneumonitis. We report a rare case of acute-on-chronic bird fancier's lung that developed in a pigeon breeder and presented subpleural curvilinear shadow and ground glass opacity on high-resolution computed tomography (HRCT) of the chest. The results of surgical lung biopsy showed mainly intraalveolar organization and alveolitis in addition to the pattern of usual interstitial pneumonia with centrilobular fibrosis. Examination of bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluid revealed an increase in lymphocytes. The results of immunoglobulin (Ig) G and IgA antibodies against pigeon dropping extracts were positive in sera and BAL fluid. Consequently, the patient was diagnosed as having BFL. Avoidance of pigeons and corticosteroid therapy led to rapid improvement.

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