- Full (HTML) - Full (PDF) - Related EHP Articles - PubMed:Related Articles - PubMed:Citation - Cited in PMC - Purchase This Issue

Michael J. Apostolakos,¹ Harold Rossmoore,² and William S. Beckett^1,3

¹Pulmonary and Critical Care Division, Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry, Rochester, New York, USA; ²Occupational and Environmental Health, Wayne State University College of Pharmacy and Allied Health Professions, Detroit, Michigan, USA; ³Occupational Medicine Program and Finger Lakes Occupational Health Services, University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry, Rochester, New York, USA

Abstract

University of Rochester School of Medicine and Wayne State University College of Pharmacy and Allied Health Professions

A previously healthy woman developed hypersensitivity pneumonitis of such severity that she required chronic systemic corticosteroid therapy for symptom control. Detailed investigation of her workplace and home environments revealed fungi in her typical suburban home, to which she had specific serum precipitating antibodies. Efforts to remove mold from the home were unsuccessful in relieving symptoms, and moving to another residence was the only intervention that allowed her to be withdrawn from corticosteroid therapy. Hypersensitivity pneumonitis is commonly associated with occupational or avocational exposures, such as moldy hay in farmers or bird antigen in bird breeders. We propose that hypersensitivity pneumonitis may occur in North America, as it does in Japan, from domestic exposures alone. Key words: Aureobasidium pullulans, extrinsic allergic alveolitis, fungal diseases, humidifier fever, hypersensitivity pneumonitis, indoor air quality, Saccharopolyspora rectivirgula. Environ Health Perspect 109:979-981 (2001) . [Online 12 September 2001]

http://ehpnet1.niehs.nih.gov/docs/2001/109p979-981apostolakos/ abstract.html

Address correspondence to M.J. Apostolakos, University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry, Pulmonary and Critical Care Unit, Box 692, 601 Elmwood Avenue, Rochester, NY 14642 USA. Telephone: (716) 275-2050. Fax: (716) 273-1126. E-mail: Michael_Apostolakos@urmc.rochester.edu

Supported in part by the New York State Network of Occupational Health Clinics, New York State Department of Health.

Received 13 March 2001 ; accepted 30 April 2001.