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A Clinical Guide to Occupational and Environmental Lung DiseasesHypersensitivity Pneumonitis

A Clinical Guide to Occupational and Environmental Lung Diseases: Hypersensitivity Pneumonitis [Hypersensitivity pneumonitis (HP) is a complex pulmonary disease caused by an immune reaction after respiratory exposure to a wide range of antigens including microbial, plant/animal protein, and low molecular weight chemicals. The diagnosis of HP is difficult and the disease likely remains under diagnosed. Symptoms typically develop after repeated exposure to an etiologic agent and can present abruptly or insidiously. Clinical suspicion and classic radiographic findings are usually sufficient to establish the diagnosis. However, lung biopsy may be required if the diagnosis is in question. The cornerstone of management is avoidance of the inciting antigen, but corticosteroids and even other immunosuppressive agents have been used in severe, rapidly progressing cases. When diagnosed early, HP may be reversible but chronically exposed individuals may develop pulmonary fibrosis and end stage lung disease.] http://www.deepdyve.com/assets/images/DeepDyve-Logo-lg.png

A Clinical Guide to Occupational and Environmental Lung DiseasesHypersensitivity Pneumonitis

Part of the Respiratory Medicine Book Series
Editors: Huang, Yuh-Chin T.; Ghio, Andrew J.; Maier, Lisa A.
Ho, Lawrence; Kuschner, Ware G.
Springer Journals — Sep 19, 2012
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19 pages

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Publisher
Humana Press
Copyright
© Springer Science+Business Media New York 2012
ISBN
978-1-62703-148-6
Pages
113 –132
DOI
10.1007/978-1-62703-149-3_6
Publisher site
See Chapter on Publisher Site

Abstract

[Hypersensitivity pneumonitis (HP) is a complex pulmonary disease caused by an immune reaction after respiratory exposure to a wide range of antigens including microbial, plant/animal protein, and low molecular weight chemicals. The diagnosis of HP is difficult and the disease likely remains under diagnosed. Symptoms typically develop after repeated exposure to an etiologic agent and can present abruptly or insidiously. Clinical suspicion and classic radiographic findings are usually sufficient to establish the diagnosis. However, lung biopsy may be required if the diagnosis is in question. The cornerstone of management is avoidance of the inciting antigen, but corticosteroids and even other immunosuppressive agents have been used in severe, rapidly progressing cases. When diagnosed early, HP may be reversible but chronically exposed individuals may develop pulmonary fibrosis and end stage lung disease.]

Published: Sep 19, 2012

Keywords: Hypersensitivity pneumonitis; Extrinsic allergic alveolitis; Non-caseating granuloma; Farmer’s lung

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