[Pneumonitis caused by hypersensitivity to the antigen(s) of pigeons. I. Clinical study].

We studied twenty six patients with hypersensitivity pneumonitis due to pigeon antigens (pigeon breeder's disease). This insidious illness, causes an interstitial lung disease, with restrictive pattern and also pulmonary hypertension. Most of the cases showed circulating antibodies against pigeon serum proteins, polyclonal hypergammaglobulinemia and rheumatoid factor. Treatment based on avoidance of pigeon droppings and glucocorticoids gave good results.