Antigen-specific IgG antibodies in feather duvet lung.
BACKGROUND
Feather duvet lung (FDL) is a rare subgroup of bird fancier's lung (BFL). We were interested in determining antigen-specific IgG antibodies in patients with FDL and comparing them with those with BFL.


METHODS
Specific IgG antibodies against goose and duck feathers, analysed with an automated fluorimetric enzyme immunoassay, were measured in healthy subjects (group A, n = 30), in patients with FDL (group B, n = 10) and with BFL (group C, n = 35); typical specific IgG antibodies of BFL in groups B and C.


RESULTS
An optimal threshold value for antibodies against goose or duck feathers to differentiate patients with either BFL or FDL from healthy subjects was determined at 10.85 mg L(-1) for goose feathers and at 8.81 mg L(-1) for duck feathers, respectively. Specific IgG antibodies against goose feathers were significantly higher in group B compared with group C. A ratio of specific IgG antibodies against goose feathers and budgerigar antigens with a threshold value of 0.91 could discriminate between patients with FDL and BFL with a specificity of 97% and a sensitivity of 90%.


CONCLUSIONS
We were able to demonstrate the significant difference in IgG antibodies in patients with FDL and BFL and their contribution to discriminate between these similar kinds of extrinsic allergic alveolitis.
Koschel
Dirk
D
Department of Pulmonary Diseases, Fachkrankenhaus Coswig, Centre for Pulmonary Diseases and Thoracic Surgery, Coswig, Germany. dr.koschel@fachkrankenhaus-coswig.de
Lützkendorf
Lars
L
Wiedemann
Bärbel
B
Höffken
Gert
G
D000542:Alveolitis, Extrinsic Allergic / Q000276:immunology; D000818:Animals; D000918:Antibody Specificity / Q000276:immunology; D000941:Antigens / Q000097:blood / Q000276:immunology; D001512:Bedding and Linens; D001716:Bird Fancier's Lung / Q000276:immunology*; D010856:Columbidae / Q000276:immunology; D004372:Ducks / Q000276:immunology; D005241:Feathers / Q000276:immunology*; D005470:Fluorometry; D005777:Geese / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D007074:Immunoglobulin G / Q000097:blood* / Q000276:immunology*; D046408:Melopsittacus / Q000276:immunology; D010311:Parrots / Q000276:immunology
D000941:Antigens; D007074:Immunoglobulin G