Farmer's lung in Northern Ireland.
A total of 381 farmers in Northern Ireland were studied using a questionnaire, pulmonary function tests, and antibody levels to Micropolyspora faena to assess the incidence of farmer's lung. Twenty (4.9%) had a history of a previous diagnosis of farmer's lung by their doctor. Forty four (10.4%) had delayed onset symptoms compatible with farmer's lung, 32 (7.9%) had precipitant antibody, and 61 (15%) had raised antibody by the enzyme linked immunosorbent (ELISA) method. Restricted lungs were present physiologically in 40 (9.8%). A confirmation of delayed symptoms and precipitant antibody was present in seven (1.7%) whereas delayed symptoms and ELISA antibody was present in nine (2.2%). Using either antibody method only two (0.5%) had a combination of antibody to M faenae, delayed onset symptoms, and restricted pulmonary physiology.
Stanford
C F
CF
Royal Victoria Hospital, Belfast.
Hall
G
G
Chivers
A
A
Martin
B
B
Nicholls
D P
DP
Evans
J
J
D000907:Antibodies, Bacterial / Q000032:analysis; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D005203:Farmer's Lung / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000276:immunology / Q000503:physiopathology; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D008168:Lung / Q000503:physiopathology; D008297:Male; D008848:Micromonosporaceae / Q000276:immunology; D009660:Northern Ireland / Q000453:epidemiology; D013147:Spirometry
D000907:Antibodies, Bacterial