[Acute dyspnea, cough, headache]

Six hours after work in an empty, non-ventilated silo a 27-year-old Yugoslav worker suffered acutely from cough, dyspnea and general weakness. He was admitted to the hospital with severe partial respiratory insufficiency, and after emergency intubation artificial respiration had to be installed. X-ray showed a severe symmetrical alveolo-interstitial opacity. The heart configuration was normal. History revealed that the neighbouring silo had been filled with green corn the day before. Both silos were connected by a common drain-wall. Furthermore, a yellowish discolouration of the new paint in the empty silo was noted. Based on these facts silo-filler's disease was diagnosed. The patient recovered rapidly under high doses of steroids. Lung function was normalized within nine days, and the patient was released from the hospital. Steroid therapy was continued for six weeks.