[Exogenous allergic alveolitis (bird fancier's lung)]

A 13 year old boy was admitted to our clinic because of caugh, dyspnoe, tachypnoe and bilateral fine moist rales since more than 6 months. Pulmonary function studies showed a restrictive lung disease. Lung biopsy revealed an interstitial pneumonitis. These findings together with a hypergammaglobulinemia and precipitating antibodies were highly suggestive of an extrinsic allergic alveolitis i.e. pigeon breeder's disease. The patient was treated with corticosteroids and is well after 1 year without any therapy except prevention of further exposure.