[Pigeon breeder's lung]. / Pulmón del cuidador de palomas.

Bird fancier's or breeder's lung is an unusual hypersensitivity pneumonitis found in pediatric patients, due to avian antigen inhalation. A case of pigeon breeder's lung in a 12 years old child is presented. Clinical symptoms were dry cough for 15 days, dyspnea and weight loss. Physical examination of the patient showed cyanosis, chest tightness, tachypnea, inspiratory crackles and oxygen saturation of 91% in room air. Laboratory data revealed hypergammaglobulinemia and elevated LDH. Pulmonary function testing showed a mixed ventilatory pattern and a decreased carbon monoxide diffusion (DLCO) capacity. Radiological findings were compatible with hypersensitivity pneumonitis, and pigeon IgG antibodies (ELISA) and skin tests with pigeon serum were positive. The child improved with corticoid therapy and antigen avoidance.

Pulmón del cuidador de palomas / Pigeon breeder's lung

El pulmón del cuidador de palomas es una neumonitis por hipersensibilidad poco frecuente en pediatría, que se desarrolla por inhalación de proteínas derivadas de las palomas. Presentamos un caso de pulmón de cuidador de palomas en un niño de 12 años. Refería tos seca de 15 días de evolución, disnea y pérdida de peso. A la exploración física, destacaba cianosis, tiraje intercostal y supraclavicular, taquipnea, subcrepitantes a la auscultación respiratoria y saturación de oxígeno del 91% a FiO2 ambiente. En la analítica de sangre destacaba hipergammaglobulinemia y aumento de lactato deshidrogenasa. Las pruebas funcionales respiratorias mostraron un patrón mixto con disminución de la difusión de monóxido de carbono (DLCO). Los hallazgos radiológicos fueron compatibles con el diagnóstico de neumonitis por hipersensibilidad y los anticuerpos de inmunoglobulina G a palomas (método ELISA) y los tests cutáneos con suero de paloma fueron positivos. El niño presentó una buena respuesta al tratamiento corticoideo y a la evitación del antígeno (AU)

Bird fancier’s or breeder’s lung is an unusual hypersensitivity pneumonitis found in pediatric patients, due to avian antigen inhalation. A case of pigeon breeder’s lung in a 12 years old child is presented. Clinical symptoms were dry cough for 15 days, dyspnea and weight loss. Physical examination of the patient showed cyanosis, chest tightness, tachypnea, inspiratory crackles and oxygen saturation of 91% in room air. Laboratory data revealed hypergammaglobulinemia and elevated LDH. Pulmonary function testing showed a mixed ventilatory pattern and a decreased carbon monoxide diffusion (DLCO) capacity. Radiological findings were compatible with hypersensitivity pneumonitis, and pigeon IgG antibodies (ELISA) and skin tests with pigeon serum were positive. The child improved with corticoid therapy and antigen avoidance (AU)