Case Report
Pigeon fanciers lung: a case report
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* Corresponding author: PA Mehta p.mehta@imperial.ac.uk
1 Clinical Cardiology, National Heart & Lung Institute, Imperial College, Dovehouse Street, London, SW3 6LY, UK
2 The Hillingdon Hospital, Pield Heath Road, Uxbridge, UB8 3NN, UK
Cases Journal 2008, 1:37 doi:10.1186/1757-1626-1-37
Published: 15 July 2008Abstract
Introduction
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. He had previously raced and bred pigeons for 25 years but had discontinued the pursuit a decade ago.
Conclusion
Pigeon 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.