Hypersensitivity pneumonitis resulting from community exposure to Canada goose droppings: when an external environmental antigen becomes an indoor environmental antigen.
BACKGROUND
In the past, hypersensitivity pneumonitis has been attributed to occupational, agricultural, or home environmental exposure.


OBJECTIVE
This report describes the first case of hypersensitivity pneumonitis due to community exposure to droppings from Canada geese migrating through a suburban environment.


METHODS
Clinical and serologic information was used in making the diagnosis of hypersensitivity pneumonitis.


RESULTS
Serologic analysis demonstrated precipitating antibodies against goose droppings and against an extract made from washings from a filter taken from the patient's office. These studies also showed that the antigens in the office filter were goose dropping antigens.


CONCLUSIONS
Hypersensitivity pneumonitis can result from exposure to goose dropping antigens in the community that enter buildings through ventilation systems. This represents a new form of an old disease.
Saltoun
C A
CA
Ernest S. Bazley Asthma and Allergic Diseases Center of the Department of Medicine of Northwestern Memorial Hospital and Northwestern University Medical School, Chicago, Illinois 60611, USA.
Harris
K E
KE
Mathisen
T L
TL
Patterson
R
R
D016902:Air Pollution, Indoor / Q000009:adverse effects*; D000542:Alveolitis, Extrinsic Allergic / Q000209:etiology*; D000818:Animals; D000941:Antigens / Q000276:immunology*; D005777:Geese / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged
D000941:Antigens