[Pearl oyster dust as the cause of exogenous allergic alveolitis]

Many different inhalative substances may cause allergic alveolitis (hypersensitivity pneumonitis). We report on a worker who developed lung fibrosis due to the sensitization to pearl oyster shell dust. High concentrations of IgG antibodies to proteins (conchagens) of the shell which appear to represent the relevant antigens were found in the patient's serum.