Extrinsic allergic alveolitis

ISMAIL, TENGKU
MCSHARRY, CHARLES
BOYD, GAVIN

¹Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Teknologi MARA, Shah Alam, Malaysia
²North Glasgow University Hospitals NHS Trust, Glasgow, UK

Correspondence: Tengku Ismail, Faculty of Medicine, Level 20, Complex S&T, Universiti Teknologi MARA, 40450 Shah Alam, Selangor Darul Ehsan, Malaysia. Email: [email protected]

Received 1 August 2005; invited to revise 9 September 2005; revised 28 November 2005; accepted 29 November 2005 (Associate Editor: YC Gary Lee).

Respirology 11(3):p 262-268, May 2006.

Extrinsic allergic alveolitis (also known as hypersensitivity pneumonitis) is caused by repeated inhalation of mainly organic antigens by sensitized subjects. This induces a hypersensitivity response in the distal bronchioles and alveoli and subjects may present clinically with a variety of symptoms. The aims of this review are to describe the current concepts of the immunological response, the diverse clinical presentation of this disease, the relevant investigations and management, and areas for future studies.