Pigeon fanciers lung: a case report.
BACKGROUND
Pigeon fanciers lung, a form of hypersensitivity pneumonitis, is an unusual but important occupational and recreational cause of severe and debilitating breathlessness.


METHODS
We report the case of a 61-year-old Caucasian man suffering with severe breathlessness due to pigeon fanciers lung. He had previously raced and bred pigeons for 25 years but had discontinued the pursuit a decade ago.


CONCLUSIONS
Pigeon fanciers lung can be associated with severe debilitating dyspnoea and patients may present many years after exposure to avian antigens. Physicians should be encouraged to take a detailed occupational and recreational history in any patient presenting with unexplained breathlessness.
Mehta
Pa
P
Clinical Cardiology, National Heart & Lung Institute, Imperial College, Dovehouse Street, London, SW3 6LY, UK. p.mehta@imperial.ac.uk.
Wills
P
P
Kohli
Sk
S
Dubrey
Sw
S