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Updated: Jan 26, 2026

Trans-vivo Delayed Type Hypersensitivity Assay for Antigen Specific Regulation
Published on: May 2, 2013
Hypersensitivity pneumonitis of a bagpipe player: Fungal antigens as trigger?
Katharina Ziegler1, Marcus Joest2, Nesrin Turan3
1Institute of Clinical Hygiene, Medical Microbiology and Infectiology, Paracelsus Medical University, Prof.-Ernst-Nathan Straße 1, 90419 Nuremberg, Germany.
Abstract:
Here we present a 79-year old man with chronic hypersensitivity pneumonitis probably caused by fungal contamination of a bagpipe. Several samples were taken from the patient's bagpipe. Four potential fungal antigens (Exophiala phaeomuriformis, Kwoniella europaea, Pyrenochaeta unguis-hominis and Aureobasidium melanogenum) as potential trigger of hypersensitivity pneumonitis were identified. A serum ELISA test with Exophiala phaeomuriformis indicated reactivity. Cessation of playing the bagpipe and application of glucocorticoids lead to an improvement of the patient's symptoms.
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