Clinical and serologic follow-up of four children and five adults with bird-fancier's lung

We report the clinical and serologic findings in four children and five adults with chronic avian hypersensitivity pneumonitis. All subjects were treated with corticosteroids and bird exposure was reduced or eliminated. After a variable period, ranging from 6 months to 10 years, their clinical and serologic findings were reassessed. In terms of symptomatology, chest findings, and pulmonary functions, all four children improved and four adults improved, whereas one adult had a progressive clinical deterioration, ultimately resulting in her death 5 years later. In terms of serologic data, precipitating antibody tended to persist, and antibody to avian antigens, as determined by ELISA, remained positive, although the titer declined. We conclude that, while serologic positivity remains, the prognosis for children and adults with chronic avian hypersensitivity pneumonitis is very good, provided that irreversible damage has not already occurred at the time of diagnosis.