A Case of Hypersensitivity Pneumonitis Caused by Penicillium species in a Home Environment

ABSTRACT

We report a case of hypersensitivity pneumonitis in a 30-yr-old female housewife caused by Penicillium species found in her home environment. The patient was diagnosed according to history, chest radiograph, spirometry, high-resolution chest CT, and transbronchial lung biopsy. To identify the causative agent, cultured aeromolds were collected by the open-plate method. From the main fungi cultured, fungal antigens were prepared, and immunoblot analysis with the patient's serum and each fungal antigen was performed. A fungal colonies were isolated from the patient's home. Immunoblotting analysis with the patient's sera demonstrated a IgG-binding fractions to Penicillium species extract, while binding was not noted with control subject. This study indicates that the patient had hypersensitivity pneumonitis on exposure to Penicillium species in her home environment.