Bird Fancier's Lung |
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Allergic Alveolitis (Hypersensitivity Pneumonitis in USA)
Bird fancier's lung is a type of allergic alveolitis ("alveoli" are the air sacs in the lungs and "itis" means inflamed). In America "allergic alveolitis" is usually called "hypersensitivity pneumonitis". It is an inflammation of the parts of the lung were oxygen is taken into the blood. Breathlessness and tiredness are common symptoms, many also lose weight. The main agent that causes the allergy is the bloom on the feathers (the dust that comes off which keeps the feathers sliding nicely over each other). It comes from the preen gland (also known as oil gland or uropygial gland) found under the base of the birds' tail and is spread over the feathers with the beak. The droppings can also be a problem if they dry and are inhaled. Most good quality flying birds keep their feathers in good condition, resulting in lots of bloom. Chickens on the other hand are usually very scruffy and allergy to chickens is uncommon.
Birds visiting your garden are an unlikely cause, most problems occur from birds kept indoors or in breeders. Outdoor birds are generally too far away to be a problem.
This can be a fairly serious disease with breathlessness, fever, weight loss but not usually with wheeze. It gets better when away from birds, and may need other treatment such as steroids. It will recurr when in contact with the birds. A blood test is availble to check for antibodies to avian proteins which is suggestive of disease. There are however more people with antibodies than disease (ie the antibodies can be harmless). There is a lot of cross over between antigens (the things sufferers are allergic to) from different birds and most people think that testing for pigeons and budgerigars is sufficient and will pick out allergy to other birds. The racing pigeons association laboratory in Glasgow, UK provides the reference service. Blood can be sent to Dr C McSharry, Department of immunology, Western Infirmary, Glasgow, G11 6NT.
Further exposure to the bloom (or dust from dried droppings) can make the disease worse. It takes a long time to remove all the bloom from a house or other environment, so if a test is needed to see if the birds are the cause it is better to move the person than the bird (an excuse for a holiday away from home for 2 weeks).
The future is very unclear. There are pigeon breeders who keep their pigeons, reduce their exposures and stay well (
Bourke Thorax 1989;44:415-418 - this paper is very technical). There are a few who get worse even when exposure ceases. If the disease is acute, with weight loss being prominent, substantial recovery should be the norm. You can see if you are still being exposed to the bird antigens by repeated measurements of your IgG antibodies against the bird proteins. They should go down, and usually become negative after about 3 years of avoiding exposure. Dying from acute bird fanciers lung is extremely rare.
Psitticosis
Occasionally infection can spread from birds to people. The bird is usually ill (off its seed, green stools, lethargic). The infection is called psitticosis and is uncommon in birds reared in captivity. This causes a pneumonia-like illness rather than any longterm breathing problems. In the UK the infected birds are usually newly imported from the wild, particularly from south america. This should not recurr once you have had it. Psitticosis can be diagnosed from a blood test (Chlamydia psitticae antibodies) which are offered by most standard microbiology labarotories. There are however more people with antibodies than disease (ie the antibodies can be harmless).
Asthma and birds
Asthma can be due to birds, but is uncommon in our experience. If you are worried about asthma due to birds, the best thing is to see if you are better when you are away from the birds. It would be worth keeping occupational type records of your peak flow, before during and after a holiday away from home (you can get information about doing this from this website). It is better for you to move rather than the birds as the allergens from the bird stay in the environment for a long time after the bird has gone.
Comments
I have kept chickens for 25 years. I have just started to feel breathless, weak and unwell when I tend to them. Whilst away from them I'm okay. I keep around 60 birds, some in a stable, a shed and others with walk in houses.
Can you please tell me do my symptoms mean anything or do I just perhaps just have a bug.
Regards Pam.
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Chickens are an uncommon cause of alveolitis, it would be important to see if you have alveolitis (a chest X-ray, listening to your lungs for crackles, breathing tests including gas transfer, DLCO). If alveolitis is confirmed, then tests for avian antibodies and removal from exposure is best. If you have asthma rather than alveolitis (breathlessness and wheeze, but weak and unwell uncommon), there are many causes related to keeping chicken, particularly if you are breeding them. Red spider mites are one of the commoner causes. Serial peak flow measurements on days at home looking after the chicken, and days completely away from the chicken (details on this website), would be the next step.
Perhaps it is nothing to do with the chicken?
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would you like to send us a picture of your indoor chicken to put on the website (a jpg immage would be best)
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I have 6 parrots at home and have had parrots since 2004. I have been tested due to a cough and found to have Quote: evidence of Bird fanciers disease. i have added 2 aircleaners and use an approved avian droppings cleaner as well as clorox wipes, and when I remember, gloves with a surgical mask. Though Ive read lots on what causes it, Ive seen little on what to do about it and or, have heard bird store owners say to say good bye to the birds. any suggestions or literature regarding methods of deterring further damage? My lungs are clean per an xray in Jn 09. Would appreciate anything you could offer...Thx. KJ
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If one develops bird fanciers lung, it is recommended that exposure to the birds are completely avoided. This does not however guarantee that the disease process will cease entirely in all cases. i.e. in some who develop the condition, the disease may progress or be active in spite of removal of exposure to birds and bird antigens. Ideally, all those who develop bird fanciers lung should be monitored longitudinally in a specialist chest disease clinic and receive treatment where appropriate. X-ray is not a sensitive test by itself in monitoring the disease but forms a part of the available tests used by a chest specialist.
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Iwould like some advice. November 1, 2010. We purchased a young blue crowned conure. 1 week later I developed laryngitis, which turned into a cough. I have had this productive cough ever since. I have never smoked and we only have one bird (I had a macaw for 18 yrs, it passed away 4 yrs ago). My chest xray, ctscan and pulmonary function tests are all normal. My parents took the conure for 2 months as a test to see if the bird is the cause (my pulmonary doctor thinks it is, but I tested negative to the skin prick test for budgies and chickens). During the 2 months there was improvement but not long lasting, the cough always came back. I have the bird back now, within 24 hrs of bringing the bird home, I have come down with a fever. The fever is not accompanied with shortness of breath and is only at night, for 2 nights in a row. I have always been very healthy. Could I be having an allergic response to my bird?
Thank you!!! LD
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It is possible that you have developed avian aveolitis but the story is not typical, particularly the persisting cough. However the fever on return to the bird is much more in favour of alveolitis than infection (such as psitticosis) which should only have occured on the first contact. The blood test to do is of IgG antibodies to avain serum(or precipitins) for alvelitis and to Clamydia psitticae for psitticosis. The skin prick test identifies IgE antibodies, more related to asthma than alveolitis. If the lung function tests are truely normal (including gas transfer, DLCO) and the CT is normal, alveolitis is unlikely. I think the best way forward is another try at separation from the bird.
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I have just been told I may have bird fanciers lung or farmers lung. I have been told to get rid of all my animals. I have chickens, ducks, geese, 2 dogs, a budgie and a rabbit. Do you think it is only the birds - My animals are my life. I can't imagine what I would do without them. I have been keeping chickens for 20 years. Does anyone know if masks work and what sort of masks. I have no cough just pain in my upper back between my shoulders and I feel tight across the chest most of the time. I don't wheeze but My peak flow is never higher than 400. I have children and the doctor says I may be flat on my back with oxygen in 10 years - please advice greatly needed.
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Bird fanciers lung and farmers lung are both types of allergic alveolitis (or hypersensitivity pneumonitis as it is known in the USA). Although the disease is the same (alveolar inflammation) the cause is different (avian proteins for bird fanciers lung and fungal antigens for farmers lung). It is important to find out which is the cause for you. The usual method is a blood test for precipitating (IgG) antibodies. Bird fanciers lung is tested against chicken and budgerigar serum, farmers lung mostly against Mycopolyspora faeni, Thermoactinomyces vulgaris and Aspergillus fumigatus. Finding positive antibodies alone is insufficient, as many exposed people have antibodies but no disease. However if you have allergic alveolitis and are exposed to moulds and birds, the one with the positive test is the most likely cause.
Budgerigars are a much commoner cause than chicken, geese and ducks would be very rare causes, dogs and rabbits as far vas I know have not caused alveolitis.
Once you have identified the cause good respiratory protective equipment can help, the pigeon fanciers association (http://www.rpra.org)has good information on this. You can monitor success both by monitoring lung function (particularly DlCO rather than peak flow) and the level of IgG antibodies (they should go down with avoiding exposure)
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Can you tell me what tests are available to check for bird fancier's lung. My partner has convinced himself that he has it, but he isn't coughing or wheezing all the time. We have one cockatiel indoors.
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Bird fanciers lung causes breathlessness, but not often wheeze. The disease is diagnosed by history (being better when away from the bird for several days), by finding crackling noises when listening to the lung with a stethoscope, and finding reduced breathing tests (particularly gas transfer, DLCO, usually only available in hospital labs). The chest x ray may be abnormal, but is often normal. Blood tests (precipitins) can look for antibodies to avain serum (or droppings). Cockatiel tests are not usually available, but tests for bugerigar or pigeon will usually be sufficient. A positive test is found in exposed people who can have no disease as well as those with bird fanciers lung, the stronger the antibodies the more likely they are to represent disease. The tests become negative after exposure ceases, and there are a few people with bird fanciers lung and current exposure in whom the tests are negative. If you are concerned it is worth doing all these tests.
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On Dec 21-2011, I was diagnosed from a CT scan with Emphysema & a 5mm nodule on my left lung after complaining to my doctor of shortness of breath. I also had some coughing and symptoms of a cold that lasted over 3 weeks. He originally did many tests for my heart. Nothing but a premature release of blood that would not cause shortness of breath. I also was diagnosed with systemic lupus the same day, but since the tests keep flucuating that doctor wants me to hold off taking any meds for that and be retested in 6 months. I have owned a Yellow Nape Amazon for 18 years. People have told me my disease was probably caused from the bird. My vet thinks no, but said I should be tested for allergic alveolitis, sampling the birds blood and mine. Since I already have emphysema for which there is no cure, does it matter? I noticed when my bird was removed from my home for 4 days, my shortness of breath ceased and I felt better. I keep his room spotless & also his cage. He gets frequent baths. BUT..I spend alot of time in his room watching tv and such. I am concerned for my health, and do not wish to aggrevate my lungs, but I also love my bird. Do you feel I should have a pulmonary doctor test me for allergic alveolitis & should I give up my pet to save my health? Would this test prove for sure it was the bird or not? HELP!~
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As you get better away from your bird you should have tests to find out whether the bird (or something else in your home) is the cause. The simplest test is a blood test for IgG antibodies (precipitins) to the bird's blood (not droppings). Most parakeets cross-react so the test does not have to be to your own birds blood. A positive test does not mean that the bird is definately the cause of the problems, but makes it more likely and further tests are needed. The CT scan usually shown changes of alveolitis when the bird is the cause, the signs can be quite subtle, such as areas of darker and paler lung (mosaic attenuation), or small nodules (many not one) or ground glass opacities, it would be worth somebody having a specific look at your CT for signs of bird fanciers lung. The lung function changes of emphysema and bird fanciers lung can be similar, both can cause low FEV1 and FVC, both a low gas transfer (DLCO) but emphysema should make the lungs bigger (high total lung capacity and high residual volume) and bird fanciers lung lower. If you have both the total lung capacity (and residual volume) will not be as high as expected for pure emphysema. If the diagnosis is still in doubt it may be worth doing a bronchoscopy with lavage of saline into your lung and a count of the cells retrieved, bird fanciers lung causes an increase in lymphocytes (this needs to be done in an area of lung without emphysema, as it is difficult to get the saline back from emphysematous areas).
If you have emphysema it is likely you were (or are) a smoker. Bird fanciers lung is actually more common in non-smokers, if you have recently given up smoking this may precipitate bird fanciers lung which was being supressed by smoking.
The main source of allergen from a bird is the bloom on its feathers, this is often higher on well kept birds and is not removed easily with cage cleaning.
It would be nice if you posted a follow-up in due course to let us know what happened.
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Hi
I have sever asthma, and lately I have noticed allergy symptoms when in contact with one type of bird, if he bites or scratches me I swell up and it itches incessantly. He is a Quaker parrot, a member of the Budgerigars family. The cockatiels I interact with daily and the Green cheeked Conure DO NOT cause the same reactions. Is it possible I'm only allergic to The Budgerigars? I have an allergy test sched, but that will take MONTHS to get. Removing him from where I live( I volunteer with an animal rescue organization) alleviated all symptoms. My concern are the 3 birds that I live with, whom I love dearly, and other animals I may take in in the future. IS it possible to have allergic reactions only to certain breeds?
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I think it is very likely that other parakeets will cross-react with your Quaker Parrot. Immediate reactions from scratches are fairly uncommon with birds (more usual with lab animals). This lype of allergy usually causes urticaria, asthma and rhinitis rather than alveolitis (bird fanciers lung)
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I was diagnosed 2 years ago with Bird Fancier Lung. I was given a dove by a friend of mine 9 years ago and after about 2 years with the dove I started having shortness of breath and coughing all day long. I found that it would get worse as soon as I closed the windows up for the winter. I also had a cat and dog so I thought it might be one of them. I finally went to an allergist who tested me for all types of animals and other household things. He came up empty and just called it asthma and eventually had me on 3 asthma drugs which didn’t help at all. After coughing for 5 years I finally went to a specialist who tested me for 8 exotic birds and found that I had Bird Fancier Lung from the dove. I got rid of the bird and totally cleaned my house, painted the inside and got new rugs. This helped me immensely up to a point where I still cough about 25 to 35 times a day and never seems to get any better. I cough when I roll over in bed, laugh, do any physical activity or come in from the cold (not when I go out in the cold). In the 6 weeks something has drastically changed. I had a gall bladder attack and was put in the hospital and given large doses of antibiotics for 7 days. When I got out they gave me a prescription for 10 more days of antibiotics. I caught a cold leaving the hospital and coughed severely for 2 weeks. When the cold was over I found that my bird fancier lung cough had all by stopped. I had my gall bladder out after the three weeks and when I came home I still was not coughing. After being home for 2 weeks I have noticed that my coughing is beginning to pick up a little. I have 3 air filters running all the time which I’m sure helps keep the air clean, but my doctor told me I would never be able to clean the house enough to get rid of all the bird dander. My question is that is it possible to cure the bird fancier lung with large doses of antibiotics. It seems that I am real close to being cured by taking the antibiotics and maybe if they kept me on them longer it might have cured me. Is this possible?
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Bird fanciers lung is an allergy and not an infection, so will not respond to antibiotics as such. One group of antibiotics (the macrolides) also work to reduce inflammation in a lower dose than needed as an antibiotic; they might account for some benefit in bird fanciers lung.
Your story of you and your bird getting ill together raises the possiblily of the original disease being due to infection and not allergy (ornithosis). This does respond to some antibiotics
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Hi all
My health is currently under investigation with doctors and a chest specialist for which I have blood tests for avian precipitins
I have a 6 year old yellow naped amazon and previously had a Jardine for 3 years before that
Since the new year I'm showing all the signs of Bird Fanciers Lung that resulted in a 2 night stay in hospital due to very low oxygen saturation levels (89) and severe shortness of breath
Having read up on BFL and seeing the close connections to pigeons I work in an office where the pigeons roost on the window sill with it 2 foot away from my desk. The window is an old style sash window and not totally secure and you can feel the draught when the wind blows there is plenty of dried Pigeon droppings and dander from them on the window ledge
My question is what would be more likely to set off a case of BFL and would the blood tests be able to determine between pigeons and my amazon at home
I would be totally destroyed if it was my amazon who is cleaned daily without fail I'm leaning towards the pigeons as there is about 10 of them
Any help would be appreciated contact me direct on i.vanes@sky.com or reply on the forum
Many thanks
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The precipitin test (IgG antibodies) in the blood are unlikely to differentiate between the parakeets and pigeons. To get bird fanciers lung your have to breathe in material from the bird to which you have become allergic. Most of this comes from the bloom which coates the feathers and keeps the feathers in good condition, this is to reduced by cleaning the bird cage. It used to be thought that the droppings were the main problem. To breathe these in they have to dry (often a long process). It may be a problem in some places where the droppings are left for a long time. I'm afraid it is more likely that your Amazon is the cause of your problem. It should be fairly easy to remove the pigeons from your office window sill. I would get somebody else to clean this and install netting/spikes or something else to stop roosting. If you are removed from exposure your pricipitin tests (or preferably the titre of your IgG antibodies to pigeon antigens) should halve about every 6 months. If they dont go down it suggests you are still being exposed.
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Thanks for your reply I have had the dried droppings on the window sill since the middle of last year Seems odd that I have only just become ill after having my Amazon for 6 years and a cockatiel for 16 years before that We have recently bought a top of the range air purifier for home and that has made a huge difference to the levels of dust/dander in the living room I need to be 100% sure its my parrot and not the pigeons as I spend longer at work than home also the window at work is not totally secure so the dander or droppings could get into the office and I sit 2 feet away from it That's why I was hoping that there was a test that could tell the difference between the 2
Many thanks
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i am a macaw owner....16yrs....i have just acquired shortness of breath which causes severe dry coughing. to the point where my bird is saying owww owww! when she hears this . she is pretty cuddly . we spend a a fair amount t of time together when i am not working. i feel good only when i am sleeping which is s 2 sstorey above her cage area. it seems when i go to work though i am worse. and she is n o where near me but it could it be the ledges? what tests are necessary to find the cause?
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If you are really beter away from your macaw it makes her a less likely cause of your breathlessness, often longer periods away are needed to show improvement. There are many causes of cough and shortness of breath, you should see your doctor about this. tell your doctor that you have a macaw, he should at least exclude this as a cause of your symptoms by listening for crackles in your lungs (uncommon with many causes of breathelessness), do a chest X ray (can be normal in bird fanciers lung), measure your lung function including gas transfer (DLCO), a low DLCO would be unlikely in other causes of lung disease at your age, and measure your IgG antibodies (precipitins) to bird sera (a positive test makes the bird a more likely cause of your disease). If you are worse at work tell your doctor this as well, the cause may be at work (occupational asthma).
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My dad has bird fanciers lung. Is it hereditary?
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Broadly speaking,
No. However, if you consider that individuals have different degrees of susceptibility to any environmental dises - those with HLA-DRB1 related genes are more susceptible to bird fanciers lung. Therefore, it is possible that you share the same susceptibility as your forefathers to develop bird fanciers lung, if you have had similar exposure as they have had.
References above.
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Major histocompatibility complex and tumor necrosis factor-alpha polymorphisms in pigeon breeder's disease.
Camarena A, Juárez A, Mejía M, Estrada A, Carrillo G, Falfán R, Zuñiga J, Navarro C, Granados J, Selman M. Am J Respir Crit Care Med. 2001 Jun;163(7):1528-33.
ADV
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Clearly you need to be exposed to birds first. If you are exposed to birds then the chance of getting alveolitis are higher in some than others, and some of the increased susceptability is inherited. I have added a link to the reference cited by the previous commentator
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Camarena A, Juárez A, Mejía M, Estrada A, Carrillo G, Falfán R, Zuñiga J, Navarro C, Granados J, Selman M.
, Major histocompatibility complex and tumor necrosis factor-alpha polymorphisms in pigeon breeder's disease.
,
Am J Respir Crit Care Med
,
2001
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163
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1528-1533
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I have had shortness of breath and wheezing for years and I have a starling, the doctor told me it was from smoking I quit smoking and the wheezing went away but Iam still out of breath it does seem to go away when Iam not in the house for long periods of time but I can't move right now. what I would like to know is if it is the bird and I get rid of it how long before the symptoms start going away? and would it help if I put the bird in another room and get an air filter?
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Does this affect in pregnancy in any way?
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Smoking causes COPD (chronic obstructive lung disease, which includes emphysema) wthis is not caused by allergy to birds. Birds mostly cause allergic alveolitis, and sometimes asthma. All can causes wheeze, but listening (with a stethoscope) might reveal crackles, which are not caused by smoking but are often present in allergic alveolitis. A full set of breathing tests should also help separate the two. Alveolitis and emphysema cause a reduced gas transfer (DLCO), the two can usually be separated by measuring the total lung capacity (up in emphysema and down in allergic alveolitis). Detailed tests are necessarry. Finding antibodies (precipitins) to birds in your blood would also make alveolitis from the bird mor likely. Finally a high resolution CT scan will separate the diseases.
As you are better away from your house it does suggest that there is something there that is making you worse. If it is your Starling it is best to remove it completely. Separate rooms and air filters are not a satisfactory alternative. Particles from the bird may stay in your house for months after removing a bird, but you should notice improvement within a few weeks. It would be best to have regular breathing tests during this time to make sure that improvement is properly documented
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My son & I were living in a house that had hundreds of pigeons living in the attic. Their feces covered the entire attic. When we would turn on the heater, thick dust would come out, which we later found out what the dried organic dust of from the feces that was blowing through the air vents. It wasn't until we became ill that we figured out that it was from this. My son had an high IGG level to pigeon feces. Are there any other tests that we can ask our doctors to test us for?
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There are many people with exposure to pigeons who have IgG antibodies to pigeon droppings or serum (precipitins) who have no disease. The antibodies show that the individual has been exposed and made an immune response. To find out whether you have alveolitis/pneumonitis you need to find crackles on listening to the lungs with a stethoscope, reduced breathing tests (particularly gas transfer, DLCO, which is usually only available in hospital laboratories) and often an abnormal chest X-ray
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Please check on Wikipedia about Bird Fanciers Lung..."certain small mammals kpet as pets have the same or similar protein on their fur and feces and can acerbate the problem in the lungs"...my husband painted on feathers for 15 years...quit 3 years ago...we got a little Yorkie who sat on his lap all the time...he was very, very ill, over and over. Hospitalized many times. We finally figured it out...got rid of the dog...and now he is well. Hope this helps anyone...
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Hello, I am a doctor and had to clear the last entry up. You can NOT get bird fanciers disease from dogs, nor Histoplamosis, or any other bird/pigeon related diseases. That is completely false. If you are commenting on here, you shouldn't print things that are untrue. If anything, your husband was probably allergic to the fur on that type of breed, or maybe to all breeds. I suggest getting a dog that has "hair", as opposed to "fur". They are more or less Hypo-Allergenic for allergic people.
RE: the entry from 6/6/12, your son needs to see a pulmonary doctor ASAP. In order to have high IGG to pigeon feces, you must have had very long exposure to pigeon feces, and there must have been an extreme amount of feces. If you or your son are having any breathing problems, or if you are wheezing, feeling flu-like, have fevers, etc, you really need to be treated ASAP. Having exposure to pigeon feces can have a very severe effect on your health. You need to be seen and have a full eval ASAP.
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Hello there .. me and my husband have got a ringed parakeet 3 wks ago , within the 1st 2 days my daughter developed a temperature and a cough ,then within the next 4 days 4 out of 8 of our children have the same symptoms, this doesn't seem to be going either .. so I am wondering if this could be a reaction to our new family member .. plz help
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Some parakeets have an infection which can be transmitted to humans, causing a flu-like illness sometimes with pneumonia or cerebral symptoms. It is very unusual from birds bred in captivity, but can occur in recently imported birds. This is completely different from bird fanciers lung (allergic alveolitis/hypersensitivity pneumonitis) which are the concerns of most of the questions in this section.Although fever and cough can be due to bird fanciers lung, it would be very unusual for this to affect several people at the same time, and after such a short exposure to the bird. The organism causing infection is called chlamydia psitticae, blood tests can detect this infection which responds to some antiobiotics.
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hi i just found out about this disease and currently have a few of the symptoms. i'm trying to make sure i do or dont have it. i'm going to see a pulmonologist next week but i have a few questions. i know coughing is one of the symptons but is it a dry cough or a productive one? mine has been productive. also, does this disease always show on xrays? i've had two and both were 'normal'. i didnt mention that have a bird so maybe they didnt look for the disease in the x-ray? i have one bird, a green cheek conure who i've had for over 4 years. any feedback would be much appreciated. thank you.
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The cough is usually but not always dry. The Chest X-ray may be normal with avian alveolitis. The most important tests are listening to your lungs for crackles, and breathing tests to incline DLCO (gas transfer) as simple test of spirometry may be normal. You should also have a test for precipitins to birds in your blood, but some bird fanciers with positive precipitins have no disease.
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I have just been diagnosed with pigeon fanciers lung and I am on a course of steroids. I was allergic to our pet budgie which we have since got rid of. I work in the community visiting clients homes which may have pet birds in and also mould on carpets etc. Should I avoid these situations.
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This is a difficult question. The allergy to birds is specific, that means that your allergy is only to proteins from birds, particularly from the bloom on the wings and their droppings. Moulds are a different cause of alveolitis, you should have no problems with these. More casual contact with birds in others houses could cause problems and at least temporarily should be avoided. Your antibodies (precipitins) should go down the longer you are away from exposure, if they dont go down (or go up) it is likely that you are continuing to inhale bird protein. Once you are off steroids, and if you are keen, a trial of casual contact could be done. You should have measurements of your breathing and antibodies regularly to see if you are getting problems.
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My husband has suffered over four years from shortness of breath, chronic fatigue, severe coughing spasms 24/7, and minor weight loss. He also is cold nearly all of the time. After lung biopsies, MRI's, catscans, and countless blood tests at the top pulmonary hospital and others, he went to the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota this week for testing as a last resort.
He called me a short time ago and told me that the diagnosis is Allergic Alveolitis (Hypersensitivity Pneumonitis), as it showed up in blood test results.
We did purchase a parakeet in April but did not see any greater decline in his condition since then but rather the same steady deterioration of his condition. He has had no other exposure to birds other than those that fly by in the sky. We've had the same down comforter for years, live in a fairly new house (6 yrs old and only 1.5 yrs old when his symptoms began), and had the house ductwork cleaned but there was little dust found. There are no other aviary associations.
Is it possible to receive this diagnosis for a possible aviary bi-product? His business is oxygen regeneration devices which include carbons and coconut shells. He travels 50-60% of the time and doesn't feel any better or worse when traveling.
We're pretty sure that we have to give sweet little Lucy away (children's first and only pet) and will get rid of the down comforter, but cannot think of anything else that we can or need to get rid of.
He's been on various steroids and antibiotics for extended periods of time and nothing has worked. Can you help us figure this out? Thank you.
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Is he at all immuno-compromised? Does he he take any meds for any health condition that would stop his immune system from working properly? For example, any meds for an auto-immune illness? And is it at all possible that there is any mold in the house? Maybe from an internal leak?
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Thank you for responding. No, he is not immuno-compromised. No, he is not currently taking anything but ibuprofin. No, there is no mold in the house and no internal leaks. We are brain-storming as a family right now trying to think outside the box regarding his exposure and can't come up with anything.
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The allergic alveolitis seems to have been diagnosed from blood tests. These are likely to be precipitins (IgG antibodies) to a specific allergen, you need to find out which was positive. If the tests are for avian antigens some use avian serum, which does not have serious cross-reactions with other materials, but others use avian droppings which have a lot of things in them other than avian proteins and cross-react with many other microbial agents. A positive IgG antibody test does not mean that the bird is necessarily causing disease, there are many bird fanciers with positive tests and no disease, however in the presence of a disease which is clinically allergic alveolitis a positive IgG test would generally indicate that this was the cause. The cause however should be present before the disease, which seems not to be the case here. Ways forward would include measuring lung function (including DLCO) while living at home and after a break (?holiday, but leaving the bird behind) of at least 2 weeks, the second measurement being made before return home. Improvement would indicate that the cause was at home (the bird being a likely cause). Perhaps the bird needs to go in any case, but further investigation is needed to confirm the diagnosis of allergic alveolitis (rather than its cause).
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I forwarded your post to my husband and he is going to share it with his local doctor - the one who referred him to the Mayo Clinic. He's going to ask which type of test was done. I strongly feel that there is an underlying condition causing his symptoms that remains undiagnosed. He is going to request the results of blood work done prior to acquiring a parakeet and have the doctor review them. We have not yet given Lucy away until a comparison of test results has been done. I'm not sure whether he's had the lung function measurement or not but he's taking your response with him so I feel better about him being able to ask more specific questions about the prior testing.
Thank you for sharing your expertise; it is appreciated.
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My neighbour has been a labourer and five years ago had to clear out a loft that had been infestated with pigeons. After working on the site he developed breathing problems. He has never smoked and was always really fit. He has been to the Doctors but they have just said that it is as asthma but his wife is convinced that it is not the case. I am trying to do some research on their behalf as would really like to help improve his breathing for him. He sounds very chesty and coughs up a lot of flem all the time.
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I have had exposure to seagull Guano both wet and
Dry and atomised by pressure washer! My face neck
And ears came up in a severe allergic reaction and it
Appeared I had been scalded and with flaky skin.
I most definitely ingested by inhalation atomised seagull wet and dry
Seagull faetal matter and I have recently lost 3.5 kg in
Very short time and have a tight chest.what test please
Should I request from a doctor to ascertain if
I have a health problem ?
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Asthma is a common cause of breathlessness and has definite tests that can confirm the diagnosis (bronchodilator reversibility, non-specific reactivity, increased diurnal variation in peak flow, response to a trial of treatment etc.) None are found in all asthmatics, but most have at least one of these.
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If thge reaction occurred on your first exposure to seagul guano it is more likely to be irritant than allergic, both can cause skin problems. Weight loss is more unusual but could be due to organic dust toxic syndrome, if so it should improve fairly quickly. If weight loss continues it is important to seek medical advice.
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Thank you for your speedy response regarding the gull guano.i have had some tests done and my blood pathology states pidgeon droppings igG [26-50]was 67.7 and chicken droppings igG [10-40] were 41. both chicken and pidgeon feather counts igG were also on top of range.I am led to believe that pidgeons are used as a base for all non aviary birds is that correct assumption?i am having a chest x ray and further blood samples and am short of breath would this be indicative of contamination of guano in my body?
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Pigeon droppings are often used as a surrogate for different avian species, there is a lot of cross reactivity betwwen birds. Dropping are not ideal as they contain many things apart from the avain protens which are the cause of disease, particularly bacteria which occur in contaminated water aerosols (fountains etc). The better tests use pigeon seum (pigeons are easier to bleed than smaller birds)
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Our small parrot, a family pet, needs a new home according to our pulmonary Dr. My husband has COPD w/asthma, allergy test to birds negative. He was not allergic to hardly a thing. I am wondering what we can do to be sure that finding our loved pet a home is the right thing. He wants to be assured that this is right. He is not responding to steroids, antibiotics, inhalers, etc. He has a rattle in one lung and has a bronchoscope scheduled. Dr. feels that he may have a blockage. symtoms are worsened with any activity; he has no life in a recliner day after day. He is 72yrs old has been very active until these lung problems. What do you think? Is there anything we have missed. I feel I have lost my partner.
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The most important thing is to make a correct diagnosis. If you have asthma or alveolitis shown to be caused by the bird, the bird should go. If not there is little point in removing the bird. If the diagnosis is equivocal a trial separation is a way forward, the patient rather than the bird should go for about 4 weeks, with no return home at all and careful monitoring. Antigens from the bird may still be in the house many months after the bird goes which is why the patient rather than the bird needs relocation.
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Hi
Kept finches in a birdroom with use of an outside aviary
The last few times I cleaned the birdroom I've had a cough non productive,
And breathlessness with wheezing which all symtums clear after
About 3-4 hrs.
Because of this complaint I finished bird keeping which really
Annoyed me, maybe I should have tried a few preventatives.
After a few months away from birds my then complaint got better
So I thought about picking the hobby back up.
Never had any symptoms in the first 4 years of keeping finches but the last
2 months was not nice.
Should I restart my hobby with mask wearing and also
Run a hepa air purifier.
Love birds but want to be safe in doing so.
Regards
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Your symptoms sound more like asthma than alveolitis, but both may be possible. They are due to allergy so require a period of exposure before sensitisation occurs (just like hay fever to grass, you are not born with this but starts usually years later despite breathing in the grass pollen every year). Once developed small exposures which caused no problems before rovoke symptoms. Now that you have got rid of the birds it would be much safer to stay away from exposure.
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Thanks for your reply.
Currently got one pair of finches(Siskins) to try.
Purchased an expensive air purifier which has a 6 stage
Purifying process inc hepa.
I also wear a mask(ffp3) type and use prevalin nasal spray.
When I enter my birdroom I also wear a Lab type
coat which I leave in the"clean area"of my birdroom
As you can see I have taken/made all precaution
And expense available to me.
At the moment all seems ok, as long as I keep to
this system then maybe I can continue my hobby.
The moment the symptoms return I will rehouse
the birds and move on.
Do you think this wise, love the birds but I also
want to keep myself safe.
Kind regards
Steve
Ps... Should I book an appointment with my GP
for investigation.
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I moved into my present home in July 2011, since February 2011 I have been suffering symptoms. My question is: Is it possible to be affected by living near someone who breeds birds and has an Aviary? The person living next door to me has an Aviary which adjoins on of his bedrooms at the back of his house, and which is outside my bedroom window?
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It seems that your symptoms started before moving next to the avairy. The aviary is a very unlikely cause of your symptoms
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