Problem
Allergic alveolitis
Other Names:
Hypersensitivity pneumonitisBird Breeder's Disease
Bird Breeder's Lung
Nature:
Hypersensitivity pneumonitis (HP) or extrinsic allergic alveolitis (EAA) is a syndrome caused by the repetitive inhalation of antigens from the environment in susceptible or sensitized people. Common antigens include molds, bacteria, bird droppings, bird feathers, agricultural dusts, bioaerosols and chemicals from paints or plastics. People affected by this type of lung inflammation (pneumonitis) are commonly exposed to the antigens by their occupations, hobbies, the environment and animals. The inhaled antigens produce a hypersensitivity immune reaction causing inflammation of the airspaces (alveoli) and small airways (bronchioles) within the lung. Hypersensitivity pneumonitis may eventually lead to interstitial lung disease.
Incidence:
In humans, breathing feather dander is the cause of allergic alveoliitis in people sensitive to bird protein. Any bird can transmit this disease; however, cockatoos, cockatiels and amazons that produce more "powder" than other birds are liable to be more potentially irritating to humans.
Broader Problems:
AllergyZoonosesBird diseases Subject(s):
Medicine → PhysiologyRelated UN Sustainable Development Goals:
Problem Type:
G: Very specific problems Date of last update
03.12.2019 – 19:05 CET