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Wood-Pulp Workers' Disease: A Hypersensitivity Pneumonitis Caused by Alternaria

1972; American College of Physicians; Volume: 77; Issue: 6 Linguagem: Inglês

10.7326/0003-4819-77-6-907

1539-3704

Donald P. Schlueter,

Plant Surface Properties and Treatments

Respiratory disease resulting from prolonged exposure to logs contaminated with Alternaria may be owing to a hypersensitivity reaction. Two patients had heavy and prolonged exposure to this mold during the manufacture of wood pulp. Their exposure led to recurrent episodes of chills, fever, and dyspnea that were followed by irreversible alterations in pulmonary function. Lung biopsy specimens showed changes compatible with a hypersensitivity pneumonitis. An inhalation challenge with an extract of Alternaria reproduced the clinical features of their disease.