Angiotensin-converting enzyme in farmer's lung.
Serum levels of angiotensin-converting enzyme were measured in a group of patients with farmer's lung and a group of precipitin-positive subjects with no history of farmer's lung. The levels did not differ significantly from control subjects matched for age and smoking history. The mean serum level of angiotensin-converting enzyme in a group of acutely ill patients with farmer's lung was significantly reduced. An acute challenge of three patients with Micropolyspora faeni did not produce an increase in serum levels of angiotensin-converting enzyme. These studies suggest that an increased serum level of angiotensin-converting enzyme can be a diagnostic aid in making a differential diagnosis between sarcoidosis and farmer's lung.
D000942:Antigens, Bacterial / Q000008:administration & dosage; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005203:Farmer's Lung / Q000201:enzymology*; D006801:Humans; D008848:Micromonosporaceae / Q000276:immunology; D007703:Peptidyl-Dipeptidase A / Q000097:blood*; D012507:Sarcoidosis / Q000201:enzymology
D000942:Antigens, Bacterial; D007703:Peptidyl-Dipeptidase A