Bird fancier's lung is an immunologically mediated lung disease caused by inhalation of bird dropping extracts and antigens in feathers. Early recognition of the disease and prevention of long-term antigen exposure are necessary to avoid the progression of chronic bird fancier's lung.
Is bird fancier's lung common?
Pigeon fanciers lung or Bird fanciers lung (BFL) is one of the common and preventable causes of hypersensitivity pneumonitis.
What causes pigeon fanciers lung?
Pigeon fanciers lung is a type of HP caused by airborne exposure to avian antigens [1,2,5]. The disease may present acutely or sub-acutely and such episodes usually resolve with cessation of the antigen exposure. Chronic disease may progress to irreversible disease [5].
Can bird fanciers lung be cured?
Treatment starts by removing the patient from the antigen exposure so the lungs can heal. But if the affected person is repeatedly exposed over long periods of time, the inflammation becomes a scar, Han said. She had a patient with bird fancier's lung die because the woman refused to give up her parrot.
What is bird fancier's lung disease?
Bird Fancier's Lung is a type of hypersensitivity pneumonitis, an immunologically mediated lung disease due to repetitive exposure of air-borne avian antigen. This was first described in 1965 and is known as one of the most common causes of hypersensitivity pneumonitis.
More useful articles on a similar topic 👇
Is bird fanciers lung common?Can you get histoplasmosis from bird droppings?