Pigeon breeder's disease in children. A family study

Abstract

The findings in a family of seven with pigeon breeder's disease are reported, and the wide range of clinical and laboratory involvement is documented. An inhalational challenge and lung biopsy were performed on the 15-year-old patient who was the index case, and the diagnostic results are discussed. We emphasize the importance of thoroughly evaluating the members of the family and the environment when a patient suspected of hypersensitivity pneumonitis is encountered. All treated members responded well to therapy with steroids and ceasing exposure to antigenic material from pigeons. Serum precipitin tests to pigeon-derived antigens that were initially strongly positive in all seven family members became negative by 15 months following treatment.