title: Farmer's Lung Disease. A Review.
abstract: Farmer's lung disease (FLD) is a form of hypersensitivity pneumonitis (HP) caused by inhaling microorganisms from hay or grain stored in conditions of high humidity in the agricultural workplace. It is probably underdiagnosed, especially in northern Spain, where climatic conditions favor the development of this disease. According to previous studies, the most common antigens are usually thermophilic actinomycetes and fungi. The epidemiology of the disease is not well known, and is based on studies conducted by Central European and Asian groups. The clinical presentation may vary, differentiating the chronic (exposure to lower concentrations of the antigen over a longer period time) and the acute forms (after exposure to high concentrations of the antigen). In patients with respiratory symptoms and agricultural occupational exposure, radiological, lung function and/or anatomical pathology findings must be compatible with FLD, bronchoalveolar lavage must show lymphocytosis, and tests must find sensitivity to the antigen. The main treatment is avoidance of the antigen, so it is essential to educate patients on preventive measures. To date, no controlled studies have assessed the role of immunosuppressive therapy in this disease. Corticosteroid treatment has only been shown to accelerate resolution of the acute forms, but there is no evidence that it is effective in preventing disease progression in the long-term or reducing mortality.
authors.affiliation: Grupo Gallego Multidisciplinar de Enfermedades Pulmonares Intersticiales Difusas (GAMEPID), Sociedad Gallega de Patología Respiratoria (SOGAPAR), España. Electronic address: estebanmallorca@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Esteban
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Cano-Jiménez
authors.affiliation: Grupo Gallego Multidisciplinar de Enfermedades Pulmonares Intersticiales Difusas (GAMEPID), Sociedad Gallega de Patología Respiratoria (SOGAPAR), España.
authors.forename: Adelaida
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Acuña
authors.affiliation: Grupo Gallego Multidisciplinar de Enfermedades Pulmonares Intersticiales Difusas (GAMEPID), Sociedad Gallega de Patología Respiratoria (SOGAPAR), España.
authors.forename: María Isabel
authors.initials: MI
authors.lastname: Botana
authors.affiliation: Grupo Gallego Multidisciplinar de Enfermedades Pulmonares Intersticiales Difusas (GAMEPID), Sociedad Gallega de Patología Respiratoria (SOGAPAR), España.
authors.forename: Teresa
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Hermida
authors.affiliation: Grupo Gallego Multidisciplinar de Enfermedades Pulmonares Intersticiales Difusas (GAMEPID), Sociedad Gallega de Patología Respiratoria (SOGAPAR), España.
authors.forename: María Guadalupe
authors.initials: MG
authors.lastname: González
authors.affiliation: Grupo Gallego Multidisciplinar de Enfermedades Pulmonares Intersticiales Difusas (GAMEPID), Sociedad Gallega de Patología Respiratoria (SOGAPAR), España.
authors.forename: Virginia
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Leiro
authors.affiliation: Grupo Gallego Multidisciplinar de Enfermedades Pulmonares Intersticiales Difusas (GAMEPID), Sociedad Gallega de Patología Respiratoria (SOGAPAR), España.
authors.forename: Irene
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Martín
authors.affiliation: Grupo Gallego Multidisciplinar de Enfermedades Pulmonares Intersticiales Difusas (GAMEPID), Sociedad Gallega de Patología Respiratoria (SOGAPAR), España.
authors.forename: Sonia
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Paredes
authors.affiliation: Grupo Gallego Multidisciplinar de Enfermedades Pulmonares Intersticiales Difusas (GAMEPID), Sociedad Gallega de Patología Respiratoria (SOGAPAR), España.
authors.forename: Pilar
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Sanjuán
mesh_terms: D000391:Air Microbiology; D000395:Air Pollutants, Occupational / Q000009:adverse effects; D000821:Animal Feed / Q000382:microbiology; D000942:Antigens, Bacterial / Q000009:adverse effects; D000946:Antigens, Fungal / Q000009:adverse effects; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D003948:Diagnostic Techniques, Respiratory System; D005203:Farmer's Lung / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D061353:Food Storage / Q000379:methods; D006801:Humans; D006813:Humidity; D007074:Immunoglobulin G / Q000097:blood; D011379:Prognosis; D012134:Respiratory Protective Devices
chemical_list: D000395:Air Pollutants, Occupational; D000942:Antigens, Bacterial; D000946:Antigens, Fungal; D007074:Immunoglobulin G
keywords: Diffuse interstitial lung disease; Enfermedad del pulmón de granjero; Enfermedad pulmonar intersticial difusa; Farmer's lung disease; Hypersensitivity pneumonitis; Neumonitis por hipersensibilidad