[Hypersensitivity pneumonitis caused by Trichoderma viride]

Arch Bronconeumol. 2009 Jun;45(6):304-5. doi: 10.1016/j.arbres.2007.12.001. Epub 2009 May 12.
[Article in Spanish]

Abstract

Hypersensitivity pneumonitis (HP) can be induced by exposure to indoor molds contaminating humidifiers and heating or ventilation systems. A 54-year-old woman with dyspnea, cough, chest pain, and fever was seen in the emergency room. A chest radiograph revealed interstitial infiltrates and blood tests showed leukocytosis with neutrophilia and severe hypoxemia. A diagnosis of HP was made by a combination of clinical, radiologic, physiologic, and immunologic studies. Trichoderma viride was isolated in cultures of water samples from an ultrasonic humidifier installed in the patient's home a year earlier. Precipitating immunoglobulin G antibodies to T viride were detected in the patient's serum by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The patient remained symptom free after the humidifier was removed from her home. Our findings strongly suggest that the patient developed HP due to T viride from the humidifier. To our knowledge, this is the first report of such a case.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • English Abstract

MeSH terms

  • Air Conditioning / instrumentation*
  • Alveolitis, Extrinsic Allergic / diagnosis
  • Alveolitis, Extrinsic Allergic / etiology*
  • Alveolitis, Extrinsic Allergic / immunology
  • Alveolitis, Extrinsic Allergic / therapy
  • Anti-Bacterial Agents / therapeutic use
  • Antibodies, Fungal / blood
  • Bronchodilator Agents / therapeutic use
  • Combined Modality Therapy
  • Dyspnea / etiology
  • Emergencies
  • Equipment Contamination*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Immunoglobulin G / blood
  • Middle Aged
  • Oxygen Inhalation Therapy
  • Respiration, Artificial
  • Trichoderma* / immunology
  • Water Microbiology*

Substances

  • Anti-Bacterial Agents
  • Antibodies, Fungal
  • Bronchodilator Agents
  • Immunoglobulin G