Presenting features of feather duvet lung.
BACKGROUND
Feather duvet lung (FDL) is a rare subgroup of bird fancier's lung. It is caused by inhalation of organic dust due to goose or duck feathers in duvets or pillows.


METHODS
A retrospective review of the medical records of 13 patients with FDL was performed to assess the specific history and review clinical characteristics of patients with this disease.


RESULTS
All patients were female with a mean age of 53 years (26-71). They were recently exposed to feather duvets (6), pillows (1) or both (6). Specific histories were duvets or pillows filled with raw goose feathers from their own farms (4), intensive contact with goose feathers in youth (3), and bird exposure prior to symptom onset (5). In all patients specific IgG antibodies to goose and/or duck feathers were detected. Pulmonary function tests revealed a moderate to severe reduced diffusion capacity and a mild restrictive pattern. High-resolution computed tomography was performed in 11 patients and demonstrated predominantly ground-glass opacities (10) and fibrosis (6). In bronchoalveolar lavage fluid, lymphocytic alveolitis was demonstrated in all patients. Lung biopsies were obtained in 9 patients and demonstrated lymphocytic alveolitis (8), granulomas (3), bronchiolitis obliterans organizing pneumonia pattern (2), and usual interstitial pneumonia pattern (1).


CONCLUSIONS
The clinical findings of FDL are typical of extrinsic allergic alveolitis. Primary sensitization could be due to former exposure to bird antigens at home or goose/duck feather exposure in youth. In view of the increasing popularity of feather duvets, FDL should be considered in the differential diagnosis of patients with extrinsic allergic alveolitis.
Centre for Pulmonary Diseases and Thoracic Surgery, Department of Pulmonary Diseases, Fachkrankenhaus Coswig, Germany. dr.koschel@fachkrankenhaus-coswig.de
Dirk
D
Koschel
Horst
H
Wittstruck
Thomas
T
Renck
Dietrich
D
Müller-Wening
Gert
G
Höffken
D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000818:Animals; D001512:Bedding and Linens; D001706:Biopsy; D001716:Bird Fancier's Lung / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy; D001985:Bronchial Provocation Tests; D001992:Bronchoalveolar Lavage Fluid / Q000166:cytology; D002248:Carbon Monoxide / Q000378:metabolism; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D004372:Ducks / Q000276:immunology; D005241:Feathers / Q000276:immunology*; D005260:Female; D005541:Forced Expiratory Volume / Q000502:physiology; D005777:Geese / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D007074:Immunoglobulin G / Q000097:blood / Q000276:immunology; D008168:Lung / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology; D008218:Lymphocytosis / Q000473:pathology; D008875:Middle Aged; D012129:Respiratory Function Tests; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D014797:Vital Capacity / Q000502:physiology
D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones; D007074:Immunoglobulin G; D002248:Carbon Monoxide