Hypersensitivity pneumonitis: case report

Abstract

Hypersensitivity pneumonitis or extrinsic allergic alveolitis occurs because of the repeated inhalation of certain organic substances or antigens which, in susceptible individuals, can cause inflammation of the alveolar, bronchiole and interstice with gas exchange disorder.

 Its clinical presentation can be very diverse according to the age of the patient. Older children usually present as dyspnea with exercises that progress to appear at rest, hypoxemia, and rattles on auscultation. There is no definitive test that by itself diagnoses the disease, but laboratory findings, imaging tests, and pulmonary function support clinical suspicion.

The most important measure of treatment is to avoid exposure to the responsibility antigen. Sometimes, the use of oral corticosteroids may be useful.

Below, we present the case of a minor with clinical data of hypersensitivity pneumonitis secondary to exposure to birds with secondary pulmonary hypertension.