Hypersensitivity pneumonitis as a cause of airway-centered interstitial fibrosis.
BACKGROUND
Airway-centered interstitial fibrosis (ACIF) has been postulated to be related to environmental exposures.


OBJECTIVE
To describe a patient with ACIF associated with hypersensitivity pneumonitis.


METHODS
We evaluated a patient with a 2-year history of progressive dyspnea and exercise intolerance. We performed computed tomography, pulmonary function tests, and skin prick tests.


RESULTS
The patient's computed tomogram suggested hypersensitivity pneumonitis. Pulmonary function testing demonstrated a restrictive pattern. Results of skin prick tests to chicken, goose, canary, and budgie were negative. However, serum precipitins were positive to serum from pigeon, goose, duck, and chicken feathers. The patient was diagnosed as having ACIF.


CONCLUSIONS
We believe that ACIF may represent a final common pathway for lung injury due to environmental exposure.
Division of Respirology, Critical Care and Sleep Medicine, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada.
Mark E
ME
Fenton
Donald W
DW
Cockcroft
Joanne L
JL
Wright
Andrew
A
Churg
D000328:Adult; D000382:Agricultural Workers' Diseases / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology*; D000383:Agriculture; D000818:Animals; D001716:Bird Fancier's Lung / Q000150:complications* / Q000473:pathology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D001717:Birds; D004417:Dyspnea / Q000209:etiology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D016273:Occupational Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects*; D011658:Pulmonary Fibrosis / Q000209:etiology* / Q000473:pathology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D012129:Respiratory Function Tests; D012882:Skin Tests; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed