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Published on: August 24, 2019
Progressive dyspnea in a 46-year-old woman
1Department of Allergy/Immunology, Walter Reed Army Medical Center, Washington, DC 20307, USA. rajiv.arora@us.army.mil
Background:
Hypersensitivity pneumonitis (HP) is an inflammatory lung disease that requires a high index of suspicion and evaluation for potential causative antigens in the patient's environment.
Objective:
To describe a patient referred for allergic rhinitis who was found to have progressive dyspnea and was ultimately diagnosed as having HP.
Methods:
The history of progressive dyspnea with findings of diffuse pulmonary crackles on physical examination and restrictive pulmonary function testing prompted further radiologic, pathologic, laboratory, and home environment evaluations.
Results:
The constellation of findings from these studies led to the diagnosis of HP secondary to parakeet antigens. Elimination of further antigen exposure and corticosteroid therapy led to resolution of the patient's symptoms.
Conclusion:
Prompt diagnosis and removal of the antigen source are of paramount importance in the management of HP.
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