Antigen-specific IgG antibodies in feather duvet lung.

Abstract

BACKGROUND:

Feather duvet lung (FDL) is a rare subgroup of bird fancier's lung (BFL). We were interested in determining antigen-specific IgG antibodies in patients with FDL and comparing them with those with BFL.

MATERIAL AND METHODS:

Specific IgG antibodies against goose and duck feathers, analysed with an automated fluorimetric enzyme immunoassay, were measured in healthy subjects (group A, n = 30), in patients with FDL (group B, n = 10) and with BFL (group C, n = 35); typical specific IgG antibodies of BFL in groups B and C.

RESULTS:

An optimal threshold value for antibodies against goose or duck feathers to differentiate patients with either BFL or FDL from healthy subjects was determined at 10.85 mg L(-1) for goose feathers and at 8.81 mg L(-1) for duck feathers, respectively. Specific IgG antibodies against goose feathers were significantly higher in group B compared with group C. A ratio of specific IgG antibodies against goose feathers and budgerigar antigens with a threshold value of 0.91 could discriminate between patients with FDL and BFL with a specificity of 97% and a sensitivity of 90%.

CONCLUSIONS:

We were able to demonstrate the significant difference in IgG antibodies in patients with FDL and BFL and their contribution to discriminate between these similar kinds of extrinsic allergic alveolitis.

• Authors: Dirk Koschel, Lars Lützkendorf, Bärbel Wiedemann, Gert Höffken
• Journal: European journal of clinical investigation (Eur J Clin Invest) Vol. 40 Issue 9 Pg. 797-802 (Sep 2010) ISSN: 1365-2362 [Electronic] England
• PMID: 20597960 (Publication Type: Journal Article)

Chemical References

• Antigens
• Immunoglobulin G

Topics

• Alveolitis, Extrinsic Allergic (immunology)
• Animals
• Antibody Specificity (immunology)
• Antigens (blood, immunology)
• Bedding and Linens
• Bird Fancier's Lung (immunology)
• Columbidae (immunology)
• Ducks (immunology)
• Feathers (immunology)
• Fluorometry
• Geese (immunology)
• Humans
• Immunoglobulin G (blood, immunology)
• Melopsittacus (immunology)
• Parrots (immunology)