Hypersensitivity pneumonitis

Hypersensitivity pneumonitis
Hypersensitivity pneumonitis
Classification and external resources

Micrograph of hypersensitivity pneumonitis. Lung biopsy. Trichrome stain.
ICD-10 J67
ICD-9 495
DiseasesDB 4630
eMedicine med/1103 ped/2577
MeSH D000542

Hypersensitivity pneumonitis (also called extrinsic allergic alveolitis, EAA) is an inflammation of the alveoli within the lung caused by hypersensitivity to inhaled organic dusts. Sufferers are commonly exposed to the dust by their occupation or hobbies.

Contents

Pathophysiology

Hypersensitivity pneumonitis involves inhalation of an antigen. This leads to an exaggerated immune response (hypersensitivity). Type III hypersensitivity and type IV hypersensitivity occur in hypersensitivity pneumonitis.[1]

Symptoms

Hypersensitivity pneumonitis (HP) is categorized as acute, subacute, and chronic based on the duration of the illness. To learn more, please visit UCSF's signs and symptoms page.

Acute

In the acute form of HP, symptoms may develop 4–6 hours following heavy exposure to the provoking antigen. Symptoms include fever, chills, malaise, cough, chest tightness, dyspnea, and headache. Symptoms resolve within 12 hours to several days upon cessation of exposure.[2]

Acute HP is characterized by poorly formed noncaseating interstitial granulomas and mononuclear cell infiltration in a peribronchial distribution with prominent giant cells.[2]

On chest radiographs, a diffuse micronodular interstitial pattern (at times with ground-glass density in the lower and middle lung zones) may be observed. Findings are normal in approximately 10% of patients." In high-resolution CT scans, ground-glass opacities or diffusely increased radiodensities are present. Pulmonary function tests show reduced diffusion capacity of lungs for carbon monoxide (DLCO). Many patients have hypoxemia at rest, and all patients desaturate with exercise.[2]

Subacute

Patients with subacute HP gradually develop a productive cough, dyspnea, fatigue, anorexia, weight loss, and pleurisy. Symptoms are similar to the acute form of the disease, but are less severe and last longer. On chest radiographs, micronodular or reticular opacities are most prominent in mid-to-lower lung zones.[2] Findings may be present in patients who have experienced repeated acute attacks.

The subacute, or intermittent, form produces more well-formed noncaseating granulomas, bronchiolitis with or without organizing pneumonia, and interstitial fibrosis.[2]

Chronic

In chronic HP, patients often lack a history of acute episodes. They have an insidious onset of cough, progressive dyspnea, fatigue, and weight loss. This is associated with partial to complete but gradual reversibility. Avoiding any further exposure is recommended. Clubbing is observed in 50% of patients. Tachypnea, respiratory distress, and inspiratory crackles over lower lung fields often are present.[2]

On chest radiographs, progressive fibrotic changes with loss of lung volume particularly affect the upper lobes. Nodular or ground-glass opacities are not present. Features of emphysema are found on significant chest films and CT scans.[2]

Chronic forms reveal additional findings of chronic interstitial inflammation and alveolar destruction (honeycombing) associated with dense fibrosis. Cholesterol clefts or asteroid bodies are present within or outside granulomas.[2]

In addition, many patients have hypoxemia at rest, and all patients desaturate with exercise.

Diagnosis

The diagnosis is based upon a history of symptoms after exposure to the allergen and clinical tests. A physician may take blood tests, seeking signs of inflammation, a chest X-ray and lung function tests. The sufferer shows a restrictive loss of lung function.

Although overlapping in many cases, hypersensitivity pneumonitis may be distinguished from occupational asthma in that it isn't restricted to only occupational exposure, and that asthma generally is classified as a type I hypersensitivity.[3][4] Unlike asthma, hypersensitivity pneumonitis targets lung alveoli rather than bronchi.[5]

Lung biopsy

Low magnification micrograph of hypersensitivity pneumonitis showing multinucleated giant cells and a centrilobular fibrosis. Trichrome stain.

Lung biopsies are rarely diagnostic, but may help intensify the search for an allergen, as certain characteristics may suggest the diagnosis.

The differential diagnosis of hypersensitivity pneumonitis is, primarily, a group of diseases known as idiopathic interstitial pneumonias.[6] This group of diseases includes idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) (which manifests histologically as usual interstitial pneumonia (UIP)), idiopathic non-specific interstitial pneumonia (NSIP) and cryptogenic organizing pneumonia, among others.

Hypersensitivity pneumonitis may manifest, histologically, as usual interstitial pneumonia, i.e. it looks like idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis under the microscope; however, certain features may suggest it is a hypersensitivity pneumonitis. UIP does not typically have multinucleated giant cells, nor does it typically have a centrilobular distribution;[6] the presence of these features suggest the diagnosis of hypersensitivity pneumonitis.

The prognosis of some idiopathic interstitial pneumonias, e.g. idiopathic usual interstitial pneumonia (i.e. idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis), are very poor and the treatments of little help. This contrasts the prognosis (and treatment) for hypersensitivity pneumonitis, which is generally fairly good if the allergen is identified and exposures to it significantly reduced or eliminated. Thus, a lung biopsy, in some cases, may make a decisive difference.

Types

Hypersensitivity Pneumonitis (HP) may also be called many different names, based on the provoking antigen. These include:

Type[7] Specific antigen Exposure
Bird fancier's lung
Also called bird breeder's lung,
pigeon breeder's lung, and poultry worker's Lung.
Avian proteins Feathers and bird droppings [8]
Farmer's lung The molds Moldy hay
Crack lung Crack cocaine Heavy crack smoking
Bagassosis Thermophilic actinomycetes[8] Moldy bagasse (pressed sugarcane)
Lycoperdonosis Puffball spores Spore dust from mature puffballs[9]
Malt worker's lung Aspergillus clavatus[8] Moldy barley
Maple bark disease Cryptostroma corticale[8] Moldy maple bark
Miller's lung Sitophilus granarius (wheat weevil)[8] Dust-contaminated grain[8]
Penguin Humidifier lung The bacteria
  • T. candidus
  • Bacillus subtilis
  • B. cereus, and Klebsiella oxytoca;
  • Thermophilic actinomycetes[8]

the fungi

and the amoebae

  • Naegleria gruberi,
  • Acanthamoeba polyhaga, and
  • Acanthamoeba castellani.
Mist generated by a machine from standing water
Mushroom worker's lung Thermophilic actinomycetes Mushroom compost
Compost lung Aspergillus Compost
Peat moss worker's lung Caused by Monocillium sp. and Penicillium citreonigrum Peat moss
Suberosis Penicillum frequentans Moldy cork dust
Japanese summer house HP Trichosporon cutaneum Damp wood and mats
Cheese-washer's lung Penicillum casei[8] or P.roqueforti Cheese casings
Metalworking fluids HP Nontuberculous Mycobacteria. Mist from metalworking fluids.
Hot tub lung Mycobacterium avium complex Mist from hot tubs.
Mollusc shell HP Aquatic animal proteins Mollusc shell dust.
Isocyanate HP TDI, HDI, and MDI Paints, resins, and polyurethane foams.
TMA HP
chemical worker's lung[8]
Trimellitic anhydride[8] Plastics, resins, and paints.
Berylliosis Beryllium Electronics industry
Wine-grower's lung Botrytis cinerea mold Moldy grapes

Of these types, Farmer's Lung and Bird-Breeder's Lung are the most common. "Studies document 8-540 cases per 100,000 persons per year for farmers and 6000-21,000 cases per 100,000 persons per year for pigeon breeders. High attack rates are documented in sporadic outbreaks. Prevalence varies by region, climate, and farming practices. HP affects 0.4-7% of the farming population. Reported prevalence among bird fanciers is estimated to be 20-20,000 cases per 100,000 persons at risk." [2]

Treatment

The best treatment is to avoid the provoking allergen, as chronic exposure can cause permanent damage. Corticosteroids such as Prednisolone may help to control symptoms but may produce side-effects.

For more information on treatment, please visit UCSF's Hypersensitivity Pneumonitis Treatment page

Additional images

References

  1. ^ Mohr LC (September 2004). "Hypersensitivity pneumonitis". Curr Opin Pulm Med 10 (5): 401–11. doi:10.1097/01.mcp.0000135675.95674.29. PMID 15316440. http://meta.wkhealth.com/pt/pt-core/template-journal/lwwgateway/media/landingpage.htm?issn=1070-5287&volume=10&issue=5&spage=401. 
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h i Sharma, Sat. Hypersensitivity Pneumonitis. eMedicine, June 1, 2006.
  3. ^ "Lecture 14: Hypersensitivity". http://www-immuno.path.cam.ac.uk/~immuno/part1/lec13/lec13_97.html. Retrieved 2008-09-18. 
  4. ^ "Allergy & Asthma Disease Management Center: Ask the Expert". http://www.aaaai.org/aadmc/ate/category.asp?cat=1008. Retrieved 2008-09-18. 
  5. ^ Page 503 in: Mitchell, Richard Sheppard; Kumar, Vinay; Abbas, Abul K.; Fausto, Nelson (2007). Robbins Basic Pathology. Philadelphia: Saunders. ISBN 1-4160-2973-7.  8th edition.
  6. ^ a b Ohtani Y, Saiki S, Kitaichi M, Usui Y, Inase N, Costabel U, Yoshizawa Y. Chronic bird fancier's lung: histopathological and clinical correlation. An application of the 2002 ATS/ERS consensus classification of the idiopathic interstitial pneumonias. Thorax. 2005 Aug;60(8):665-71. PMID 16061708.
  7. ^ Enelow, RI (2008). Fishman's Pulmonary Diseases and Disorders (4th ed.). McGraw-Hill. pp. 1161–1172. ISBN 0-07-145739-9. 
  8. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l Table 13-5 in: Mitchell, Richard Sheppard; Kumar, Vinay; Abbas, Abul K.; Fausto, Nelson (2007). Robbins Basic Pathology. Philadelphia: Saunders. ISBN 1-4160-2973-7.  8th edition.
  9. ^ Munson EL, Panko DM, Fink JG. (1997). "Lycoperdonosis: Report of two cases and discussion of the disease". Clinical Microbiology Newsletter 19 (3): 17–24. doi:10.1016/S0196-4399(97)89413-5. 
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