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Respir Med 2019 Apr 5;150:101-106. Epub 2019 Mar 5.

Department of Parasitology Mycology, University Hospital of Besançon, UMR/CNRS 6249 Chrono-Environnement Research Team, University of Bourgogne- Franche-Comté, France.

We propose a strategy for serodiagnosis of hypersensitivity pneumonitis (HP): 1) question patients about their private or occupational activity, or visit him on site; 2) select panels of six somatic specific antigens appropriate for each type of exposure; 3) and use ELISA to test concomitantly two recombinant antigens highly specific to Farmer's lung, Metalworking-fluid HP, and for Bird fancier's lung. The serodiagnosis provides an immunological argument that may complete radiological, functional lung exploration and clinical features; 4) If the serodiagnosis is negative but the suspicion of HP is strong, a microbial analysis of the patient's specific exposure is conducted; 5) "A la carte" antigens are produced from the microorganisms isolated in the patient's environment sample and tested; 6) Finally, the patient may be asked to undergo a specific inhalation challenge with the offending antigens in a safety cabin, or to avoid his usual environment for a few days. Read More

Front Immunol 2018 19;9:2625. Epub 2018 Nov 19.

Department of Microbiology and Immunology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, United States.

Type 1 regulatory CD4 T (Tr1) cells express high levels of the immunosuppressive cytokine IL-10 but not the master transcription factor Foxp3, and can suppress inflammation and promote immune tolerance. In order to identify and obtain viable Tr1 cells for research and clinical applications, co-expression of CD49b and LAG3 has been proposed as a unique surface signature for both human and mouse Tr1 cells. However, recent studies have revealed that this pattern of co-expression is dependent on the stimulating conditions and the differentiation stage of the CD4 T cells. Read More

Virusdisease 2018 Jun 3;29(2):167-172. Epub 2018 Apr 3.

1Animal Health Division, ICAR-Research Complex for North Eastern Hill Region, Umiam, Meghalaya 793103 India.

The aim of the present study was to characterize the virus from the lesions and histopathology of organs associated with mortality in Kuroiler (dual purpose variety of poultry developed and marketed by Keggfarms Pvt. Ltd, India) birds suspected of Marek's disease. Among 1047 birds from two farms of different location with 5. Read More

Microorganisms 2018 05 21;6(2). Epub 2018 May 21.

Biology Department, Biotechnical Faculty, University of Ljubljana, Jamnikarjeva 101, SI-1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia.

The fungal genus of the order (Wallemiomycotina, Basidiomycota) comprises the most xerotolerant, xerophilic and also halophilic species worldwide. spp. are found in various osmotically challenged environments, such as dry, salted, or highly sugared foods, dry feed, hypersaline waters of solar salterns, salt crystals, indoor and outdoor air, and agriculture aerosols. Read More

Ann Am Thorac Soc 2018 04;15(4):460-469

2 Watson Health Value Based Care, Truven Health Analytics, an IBM Company, Cambridge, Massachusetts; and.

Rationale: Hypersensitivity pneumonitis is a complex lung disease resulting from repeated inhalation of a variety of antigens. Limited data exist regarding its epidemiology.

Objectives: To describe the trends in the annual incidence and prevalence of hypersensitivity pneumonitis in the United States. Read More

PLoS One 2017 14;12(6):e0178263. Epub 2017 Jun 14.

Service de Pneumologie, CHU de Besançon, Besançon, France.

Background: Farmer's lung (FL) is a common type of hypersensitivity pneumonitis. It is often considered that fibrosis is the most frequent finding in chronic FL. Nevertheless, three cohort studies have suggested that some patients with chronic FL may develop emphysema. Read More

Med Clin (Barc) 2017 Nov 3;149(10):429-435. Epub 2017 Jun 3.

Servicio de Neumología, Hospital Universitario Lucus Augusti, Lugo, España.

Introduction: Farmer's lung disease (FLD) is a common form of hypersensitivity pneumonitis possibly underdiagnosed in our midst. The aim of this study was to describe clinical characteristics, evolution and factors that influence the prognosis of patients with FLD.

Patients And Methods: A retrospective study that included all patients diagnosed with FLD presenting an environmental exposure risk, a clinic, lung function and a compatible radiology, in which antigen sensitisation was demonstrated and/or a concordant pathology. Read More

Clin Rev Allergy Immunol 2017 Jun;52(3):305-322

Division of Rheumatology, Allergy and Clinical Immunology, Davis School of Medicine, University of California, 451 Health Sciences Drive, Suite 6510, Davis, CA, 95616, USA.

There are possibly millions of mold species on earth. The vast majority of these mold spores live in harmony with humans, rarely causing disease. The rare species that does cause disease does so by triggering allergies or asthma, or may be involved in hypersensitivity diseases such as allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis or allergic fungal sinusitis. Read More

PLoS One 2016 4;11(8):e0160888. Epub 2016 Aug 4.

UMR6249 Chrono-Environnement, University of Bourgogne Franche-Comté, Besançon, France.

The use of recombinant antigens has been shown to improve both the sensitivity and the standardization of the serological diagnosis of Farmer's lung disease (FLD). The aim of this study was to complete the panel of recombinant antigens available for FLD serodiagnosis with antigens of Lichtheimia corymbifera, known to be involved in FLD. L. Read More

Arch Bronconeumol 2016 Jun 10;52(6):321-8. Epub 2016 Feb 10.

Grupo Gallego Multidisciplinar de Enfermedades Pulmonares Intersticiales Difusas (GAMEPID), Sociedad Gallega de Patología Respiratoria (SOGAPAR), España.

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. Read More

BMJ Case Rep 2015 Dec 21;2015. Epub 2015 Dec 21.

Department of Respiratory Diseases, University Hospital of Besançon, Besançon, France UMR/CNRS 6249 Chrono-Environment, University Hospital of Besançon, Besançon, France.

Combined pulmonary fibrosis and emphysema is a distinct syndrome reported in patients who smoke. A 72-year-old, never-smoking female dairy farmer was referred for progressive dyspnoea on exertion, basal crackles on auscultation, normal spirometry and normal lung volumes but decreased diffusing capacity of the lung for carbon monoxide, centrilobular emphysema in the upper zones of the lungs and diffuse infiltrative lung disease in the lower zones on high-resolution CT scan. Bronchoalveolar lavage differential cell count showed 35% lymphocytosis, and precipitating antibodies for Wallemia sebi, Trichoderma species and Cladosporium sphaerospermum were identified. Read More

BMJ Open 2015 Jul 22;5(7):e007350. Epub 2015 Jul 22.

Department of Health Protection, National Institute for Health and Welfare, Kuopio, Finland Public Health and Clinical Nutrition, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio, Finland.

Objectives: Farming as an occupation is considered a risk factor for asthma and reduced lung function. By contrast, living on a farm during infancy has been reported to be associated with lower risk of asthma in adulthood. However, little is known about the association between farming environment during infancy and lung function in adulthood. Read More

Ann Am Thorac Soc 2015 May;12(5):631-41

Department of Pulmonary Medicine, Respiratory Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, Ohio.

The era of bronchoscopy began with Gustav Killian in 1876 when he removed a pork bone from a farmer's airway, using an esophagoscope. Prompted by this accomplishment, Chevalier Jackson, an American otolaryngologist, laid the platform for the modern-day rigid bronchoscope in the early twentieth century. In 1967 Shigeto Ikeda revolutionized the field of bronchoscopy by his innovation of the fiberoptic bronchoscope. Read More

BMC Pulm Med 2015 Mar 6;15:18. Epub 2015 Mar 6.

Université de Lorraine, INGRES, EA 7298, Vandoeuvre lès Nancy, F-54505, France.

Background: Argan is now used worldwide in numerous cosmetic products. Nine workers from a cosmetic factory were examined in our occupational medicine department, following the diagnosis of a case of hypersensitivity pneumonitis (HP) related to handling of argan cakes.

Methods: Operators were exposed to three forms of argan (crude granulates, powder or liquid) depending on the step of the process. Read More

Rev Mal Respir 2015 Mar 5;32(3):275-8. Epub 2014 Aug 5.

Service de pneumologie, hôpital Jean-Minjoz, 2, boulevard Fleming, 25030 Besancon cedex, France.

Introduction: Farmer's lung (FL) is the most common type of hypersensitivity pneumonitis (HP), with an estimated prevalence of between 0.5 and 1.5% in dairy farmers. Read More

J Med Microbiol 2015 Apr 9;64(Pt 4):359-68. Epub 2015 Feb 9.

UMR Chrono-Environnement 6249/CNRS, University of Besançon, France Parasitology-Mycology Department, University Hospital, Besançon, France.

Electrosyneresis and double diffusion are immunoprecipitation techniques commonly used in the serological diagnosis of Farmer's lung disease (FLD). These techniques are reliable but lack standardization. The aim of this study was to evaluate Western blotting for the serodiagnosis of FLD. Read More

Genome Announc 2014 Dec 18;2(6). Epub 2014 Dec 18.

Dermatology Department, University Hospital, Lausanne, Switzerland.

Saccharopolyspora rectivirgula is the main cause of farmer's lung disease. The development of recombinant antigens to standardize the serodiagnosis of the disease requires knowledge of the S. rectivirgula genome. Read More

Cell Biochem Biophys 2015 Mar;71(2):1051-7

Department of Respiratory Medicine, The Fourth Affiliated Hospital of China Medical University, 4 East Chongshan Road, Shenyang, 110032, Liaoning, People's Republic of China.

The objectives of this epidemiological study were to evaluate the prevalence of farmer's lung disease (FLD) and to explore the potential risk factors for FLD among Chinese greenhouse farmers. A total of 835 plastic film greenhouses, including 5,880 active farmers who engaged in crop cultivation or poultry farming, were randomly selected from the rural regions of Northeastern China. These farmers participated in the study by answering a medical questionnaire. Read More

Proteomics Clin Appl 2014 Dec 4;8(11-12):971-81. Epub 2014 Nov 4.

UMR6249 Chrono-environnement, University of Franche-Comté, Besançon, France; Parasitology-Mycology Department, University Hospital of Besançon, Besançon, France.

Purpose: Saccharopolyspora rectivirgula is the principal cause of farmer's lung disease (FLD). Serodiagnosis is based on immunoprecipitation techniques or enzyme immunoassays with homemade crude antigens and is not standardized. We aimed to produce specific recombinant antigens for the development of a standardized ELISA. Read More

J Agromedicine 2014 ;19(3):258-67

a Bassett Healthcare Network, Research Institute, Cooperstown , New York , USA.

Occupational exposure to agriculture can be measured in a variety of ways, including a simple yes/no classification, as well as continuous measures, such as years in farming. Regardless of the exposure measure, the possibility of mismeasurement exists. This can be the result of memory decay, differential interpretation, and overly broad definitions of farming. Read More

Genome Announc 2014 Jan 9;2(1). Epub 2014 Jan 9.

Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden.

We have sequenced the genome of Saccharopolyspora rectivirgula, the causative agent of farmer's lung disease. The draft genome consists of 182 contigs totaling 3,977,051 bp, with a GC content of 68.9%. Read More

Zhonghua Lao Dong Wei Sheng Zhi Ye Bing Za Zhi 2013 Nov;31(11):874

J Toxicol Environ Health A 2013 ;76(17):1007-14

a Environmental Health RG, Lisbon School of Health Technology , Polytechnique Institute of Lisbon , Lisboa , Portugal.

Certain environmental conditions in animal and plant production have been associated with increased frequency in respiratory illnesses, including asthma, chronic bronchitis, and hypersensitivity pneumonitis, in farmers occupationally exposed in swine production. The aim of this study was to characterize particulate matter (PM) contamination in seven Portuguese swine farms and determine the existence of clinical symptoms associated with asthma and other allergy diseases, utilizing the European Community Respiratory Health Survey questionnaire. Environmental assessments were performed with portable direct-reading equipment, and PM contamination including five different sizes (PM0. Read More

Respir Investig 2013 Sep 6;51(3):191-9. Epub 2013 Jun 6.

Department of Integrated Pulmonology, Tokyo Medical and Dental University, 1-5-45, Yushima, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-8519, Japan.

Background: In 1999, a Japanese epidemiological survey of chronic hypersensitivity pneumonitis (HP) showed that summer-type HP was the most prevalent variant of the disease. The number of reported cases of chronic HP has recently been increasing, and the clinical features of the disease seem to have changed. We conducted another nationwide epidemiological survey of chronic HP in Japan to determine better estimates of the frequency and clinical features of the disease. Read More

BMC Vet Res 2013 Apr 30;9:88. Epub 2013 Apr 30.

Unité Epidémiologie, Agence nationale de sécurité sanitaire de l'alimentation, de l'environnement et du travail (Anses), 31 avenue Tony Garnier, F69364, Lyon, Cedex 07, France.

Background: The slaughterhouse is a central processing point for food animals and thus a source of both demographic data (age, breed, sex) and health-related data (reason for condemnation and condemned portions) that are not available through other sources. Using these data for syndromic surveillance is therefore tempting. However many possible reasons for condemnation and condemned portions exist, making the definition of relevant syndromes challenging. Read More

Ann Occup Hyg 2013 Aug 11;57(7):875-83. Epub 2013 Apr 11.

Federal Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Berlin, Germany.

Exposure to bioaerosols in composting plants can lead to negative health effects on compost workers. Health complaints vary between cough, irritation of the eyes and the skin, sinusitis, or dyspnea among others. It is fact that compost materials harbor high concentrations of microorganisms, which were aerosolized during handling compost. Read More

Rev Mal Respir 2012 Oct 28;29(8):971-7. Epub 2012 Sep 28.

Service de pneumologie, hôpital Gabriel-Montpied, CHU de Clermont-Ferrand, rue Montalembert, 63003 Clermont-Ferrand, France.

Introduction: Domestic hypersensitivity pneumonitis (HP) cases are relatively widespread, with an overall annual incidence of approximately 1/100,000 reported in a British study covering several million patients. All-causes mortality is three times higher within HP-affected patients than amongst the general population.

State Of The Art: Cases of HP are usually diagnosed as 'farmer's lung' (FL) and 'bird fancier's lung' (BFL) diseases, however we suggest that other domestic causes, such as humidifier lung, hot tub pneumonitis, feather duvet and domestic exposure to moulds may be more frequent than widely suggested. Read More

Rev Mal Respir 2012 Oct;29(8):953-5

J Allergy Clin Immunol 2012 Sep 16;130(3):803-805.e6. Epub 2012 May 16.

N C Med J 2011 Nov-Dec;72(6):477-80

Occupational and Environmental Epidemiology Branch, NC Division of Public Health, 1912 Mail Service Center, Raleigh, NC 27699, USA.

Depending on the type of farming practice, respiratory symptoms are common among agricultural workers. Farmers are at risk for pulmonary illnesses, including chronic bronchitis, organic dust toxic syndrome, farmer's lung diseases, allergic and nonallergic asthma, nasal irritation and polyps, and chemical pneumonitis. Read More

Pneumologie 2012 May 4;66(5):297-301. Epub 2012 Apr 4.

Lungen- und Allergiezentrum Bonn in Malteser Trägerschaft, Bonn, Germany.

Recent studies suggest that besides the long-known farmer's lung antigen sources Saccharopolyspora rectivirgula (Micropolyspora faeni), Thermoactinomyces vulgaris, and Aspergillus fumigatus, additionally the mold Absidia (Lichtheimia) corymbifera as well as the bacteria Erwinia herbicola (Pantoea agglomerans) and Streptomyces albus may cause farmer's lung in Germany. In this study the sera of 64 farmers with a suspicion of farmer's lung were examined for the following further antigens: Wallemia sebi, Cladosporium herbarum, Aspergillus versicolor, and Eurotium amstelodami. Our results indicate that these molds are not frequent causes of farmer's lung in Germany. Read More

Int Arch Allergy Immunol 2012 6;158(3):313-6. Epub 2012 Mar 6.

Department of Pulmonary Diseases, Fachkrankenhaus Coswig, Centre for Pulmonary Diseases and Thoracic Surgery, Coswig, Germany.

We present a case of farmer's lung (FL) with the primary presenting feature of a large bulla in the lung. A 70-year-old nonsmoking woman with dyspnea on exercise was referred for surgical resection of a large bulla in the lung. The postoperative evaluation of the lung tissue revealed a follicular lymphocytic alveolitis and loosely formed granulomas suspicious for hypersensitivity pneumonitis (HP). Read More

Appl Environ Microbiol 2012 May 24;78(9):3242-8. Epub 2012 Feb 24.

Centre de Recherche de l’Institut Universitaire de Cardiologie et de Pneumologie de Québec, Québec, QC, Canada.

To understand the etiology of exposure-related diseases and to establish standards for reducing the risks associated with working in contaminated environments, the exact nature of the bioaerosol components must be defined. Molecular biology tools were used to evaluate airborne bacterial and, for the first time, archaeal content of dairy barns. Three air samplers were tested in each of the 13 barns sampled. Read More

Clin Chest Med 2012 Mar 24;33(1):151-63. Epub 2012 Jan 24.

Department of Pneumology/Allergy, Ruhrlandklinik, University Hospital, Essen, Germany.

Hypersensitivity pneumonitis (HP) is a complex syndrome caused by the inhalation of environmental antigens. Chronic HP may mimic other fibrotic lung diseases, such as idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis. Recognition of the antigen is important for diagnosis; avoidance of further exposure is critical for treatment. Read More

PLoS One 2012 15;7(2):e31646. Epub 2012 Feb 15.

Lung and Allergy Research, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden.

Pig farmers are exposed to organic material in pig barns on a daily basis and have signs of an ongoing chronic airway inflammation and increased prevalence of chronic inflammatory airway diseases, predominantly chronic bronchitis. Interestingly, the inflammatory response to acute exposure to organic dust is attenuated in farmers. The aim of the study was to closer characterize innate immunity features in blood and airways in farmers and in naïve, non-exposed, controls. Read More

Inflamm Allergy Drug Targets 2012 Feb;11(1):15-9

Pulmonary Department, Gabriel Montpied Hospital, Montalembert Street, BP 69, 63003-Clermont- Ferrand, France.

Hypersensitivity pneumonitis (HP) is characterized by a lymphocytic alveolitis, classically delineated by an increase of CD8+ lymphocytes, with an inversion of the CD4+/CD8+ ratio. The aim of this study is both to describe the yield and cell bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) profile and to revisit the assumption of low BAL CD4/CD8 ratio in the diagnosis of HP. A multicentric study was conducted on 139 patients who fulfilled the standardized diagnostic criteria of HP, mainly affected by farmer's lung. Read More

Exp Toxicol Pathol 2013 May 26;65(4):357-64. Epub 2011 Dec 26.

School of Animal Biotechnology, Guru Angad Dev Veterinary and Animal Sciences University, Ludhiana, India.

Exposure to chicken barn air causes lung injury resulting in lower and upper respiratory symptoms in the poultry workers, and mechanisms of which are not fully understood. The lung injury can initiate modifications such as proliferation of the airway epithelial cells such as Clara cells, type II alveolar (T2) cells and mucus producing goblet cells as part of the innate immune response. Toll-like receptors (TLR) have been suggested to play a role in cell division and proliferation. Read More

Med Sci Monit 2011 Dec;17(12):CS152-5

Department of Pulmonary Diseases, Fachkrankenhaus Coswig, Centre for Pulmonary Diseases and Thoracic Surgery, Coswig, Germany.

Background: Patients with chronic hypersensitivity pneumonitis (HP) can present with an insidious onset of their disease without typical fluctuating flu-like symptoms, and there are only signs of chronic respiratory failure caused by the progressive fibrotic lung disease.

Case Report: A 45-year-old man with a pneumomediastinum and interstitial lung disease was referred for further investigations and therapy. No traumatic event or interventional procedure had occurred prior to referral. Read More

FEMS Microbiol Lett 2012 Jan 21;326(1):40-6. Epub 2011 Oct 21.

Laboratory for Separation Processes and Product Design, Faculty for Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, University of Maribor, Maribor, Slovenia.

Wallemia sebi is a xerotolerant, ubiquitous, food-borne, mycotoxigenic fungus. An ethanol extract of its mycelium demonstrated a strong hemolytic activity, which was further enhanced at high salt concentrations in the growth medium. Characterization of the extract using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry revealed a mixture of sterols and unsaturated fatty acids, indicating the latter as responsible for the hemolytic activity. Read More

Respir Care 2012 Mar 12;57(3):464-6. Epub 2011 Oct 12.

Institut Universitaire de Cardiologie, Quebec, Canada.

Hypersensitivity pneumonitis is an immunologic reaction to an inhaled antigen, with a wide spectrum of clinical presentations. The most common manifestations are fever, cough, and dyspnea. We describe a case of hypersensitivity pneumonitis with marked alveolar lymphocytosis; the patient presented with respiratory failure and shock requiring mechanical ventilation and vasopressive agents. Read More

Ann Occup Hyg 2011 Jul 21;55(6):612-9. Epub 2011 Apr 21.

Bundesanstalt für Arbeitsschutz und Arbeitsmedizin, Nöldnerstrasse 40-42, Berlin, Germany.

The thermophilic actinomycete species Saccharopolyspora rectivirgula has been associated with the exogen allergic alveolitis (EAA). EAA is caused by the inhalation of high amounts of airborne spores that can be found for example in environments of agricultural production, compost facilities, mushroom cultivation rooms, or rooms with technical air moistening. Because of the medical relevance of S. Read More

Arerugi 2011 Jan;60(1):43-50

Department of Respiratory Medicine, National Hospital Organization, Hakodate Hospital, Hokkaido, Japan.

We encountered a dairy farmer and his son with farmer's lung who had worked on the same farm for 25 years and 5 years, respectively. The son was admitted to our hospital because of cough, sputum, and shortness of breath. Chest computed tomography (CT) on admission revealed diffuse ground-glass opacities in both lung fields. Read More

Nihon Kokyuki Gakkai Zasshi 2010 Dec;48(12):985-9

Department of Respiratory Medicine, Saitama Cardiovascular and Respiratory Center.

A 48-year-old female farmer presented to our hospital with shortness of breath and cough. Her partial pressure of arterial oxygen (PaO2) level on room air was 58.4Torr, and chest computed tomography (CT) showed centrilobular ground-glass micronodules. Read More

Arch Environ Occup Health 2010 Oct-Dec;65(4):191-200

Occupational Epidemiology and Biological Research Lab, Department of Biology, Faculty of Science and Technology, Hebron University, West Bank, Occupied Palestinian Territory.

In a cross-sectional study of 250 farmers aged 22 to 77 years, of whom 36.4% are smokers, the authors aimed at describing lung function and respiratory symptoms and to estimate associations with exposures to pesticides and dust. Lung function was measured using a spirometer. Read More

J Antibiot (Tokyo) 2010 Aug 21;63(8):506-11. Epub 2010 Jul 21.

CognoGen Biotechnology Consulting, Indianapolis, IN 46220, USA.

Daptomycin is a clinically useful lipopeptide antibiotic produced by Streptomyces roseosporus. The antibiotic is assembled by a nonribosomal peptide synthetase (NRPS) mechanism, and the cyclized tridecapeptide contains three non-proteinogenic-amino acids: ornithine (Orn), 3-methyl-glutamic acid (3mGlu) and kynurinine (Kyn). Daptomycin also has three D-amino acids. Read More

Proc Am Thorac Soc 2010 May;7(3):229-36

Instituto Nacional de Enfermedades Respiratorias Ismael Cosio Villegas, Tlalpan 4502, CP 14080, México DF, México.

Hypersensitivity pneumonitis (HP) is a complex syndrome caused by an exaggerated immune response to the inhalation of a large variety of organic particles. The most frequent antigens that cause HP worldwide are bird proteins (pigeon breeders' disease) and bacteria (Saccharopolyspora rectivirgula). However, fungi are also implicated in many cases, including occupational and nonoccupational outbreaks. Read More

Med Mycol 2010 Nov;48(7):981-7

CNRS-University of Franche Comté/UMR 6249 Chrono-environnement, Parasitology-Mycology Department, University Hospital Jean Minjoz, Besançon, France.

Farmer's lung disease (FLD) is a form of hypersensitivity pneumonitis resulting from recurrent exposure to moldy plant materials. We investigated and compared the initial response of respiratory epithelium after exposure to extracts of Sacharopolyspora rectivirgula, Lichtheimia corymbifera (formerly Absidia corymbifera), Eurotium amstelodami and Wallemia sebi. The two criteria for selection of these species were their high prevalence in the hay handled by FLD patients and the presence of high levels of specific precipitins to these molds in FLD patients’ sera. Read More

Nihon Kokyuki Gakkai Zasshi 2010 Feb;48(2):172-7

Department of Respiratory Medicine, Respiratory Disease Center, Seirei Mikatahara Hospital.

We report 3 cases of occupational hypersensitivity pneumonitis in citrus farmers. They were admitted to our hospital with abnormal chest shadows with coughs, fevers and breathlessness between January and February, but their symptoms disappeared with isolation from their workplace. The diagnoses were comprehensively confirmed by their occupational histories, radiological findings, and the positive findings of environmental provocation tests. Read More

J Immunol 2010 Mar 8;184(6):3145-56. Epub 2010 Feb 8.

Children's Foundation Research Center at Le Bonheur Children's Medical Center, Department of Pediatrics, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN 38103, USA.

Hypersensitivity pneumonitis is an interstitial lung disease that results from repeated pulmonary exposure to various organic Ags, including Saccharopolyspora rectivirgula, the causative agent of farmer's lung disease. Although the contributions of proinflammatory mediators to the disease pathogenesis are relatively well documented, the mechanism(s) involved in the initiation of proinflammatory responses against the causative microorganisms and the contribution of signaling molecules involved in the host immune defense have not been fully elucidated. In the current study, we found that S. Read More

Ann Agric Environ Med 2009 ;16(2):219-25

Laboratoire de Parasitologie-Mycologie, CHU J. Minjoz, Boulevard Fleming, F-25030 Besancon, France.

Farmer's lung disease (FLD) is common in eastern France. It is the main form of occupational hypersensitivity pneumonitis, caused by chronic inhalation of microorganisms (antigens) from mouldy hay, straw, or grain. The purpose of this study was to assess, with a panel of data collected between 1997-2003, environmental factors and agricultural practices that independently modify concentrations in hay of microorganisms potentially responsible for FLD. Read More