title: Hypersensitivity pneumonitis secondary to Klebsiella oxytoca. A new cause of humidifier lung.
abstract: A 30-year-old woman developed recurrent episodes of fever, dyspnea, and nonproductive cough after repeated exposure to a home humidifier. The diagnosis of hypersensitivity pneumonitis was confirmed by detection of serum-binding antibodies at significant titer to Klebsiella oxytoca colonizing the humidifier water but not to other potential antigens. This represents a newly recognized cause of hypersensitivity pneumonitis related to exposure to K oxytoca contaminating a commercially available ultrasonic cold air home humidifier. The potential role for these frequently used home humidifier devices in unexplained pulmonary illness is emphasized.
authors.affiliation: Jefferson Medical College, Philadelphia.
authors.forename: G C
authors.initials: GC
authors.lastname: Kane
authors.forename: J J
authors.initials: JJ
authors.lastname: Marx
authors.forename: D S
authors.initials: DS
authors.lastname: Prince
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000542:Alveolitis, Extrinsic Allergic / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology*; D000942:Antigens, Bacterial / Q000276:immunology; D004866:Equipment Contamination; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006813:Humidity; D007709:Klebsiella / Q000276:immunology*; D008168:Lung / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D011859:Radiography; D014871:Water Microbiology
chemical_list: D000942:Antigens, Bacterial