Churg-Strauss angiitis. Arguments favoring the responsibility of inhaled antigens.
A 27-year-old man presented with relapsing vascular limb purpura, pulmonary infiltrates and cranial nerve palsies occurring after exposure to pigeons. A lung biopsy specimen showed Churg-Strauss angiitis. Actinomycetes were observed in pneumocytes. The circumstances preceding clinical manifestations and pathologic findings favored the diagnosis of pulmonary vasculitis as a consequence of inhaled antigen. Recovery was obtained after treatment with prednisone, cyclophosphamide, and plasma exchanges.
Guillevin
L
L
Department of Internal Medicine, Hôpital Avicenne, Bobigny, France.
Amouroux
J
J
Arbeille
B
B
Boura
R
R
D000328:Adult; D000818:Animals; D015267:Churg-Strauss Syndrome / Q000209:etiology*; D010856:Columbidae; D006801:Humans; D006968:Hypersensitivity, Delayed / Q000150:complications*; D008297:Male