Hypersensitivity pneumonitis caused by Cladosporium in an enclosed hot-tub area

Ann Intern Med. 1986 Aug;105(2):204-6. doi: 10.7326/0003-4819-105-2-204.

Abstract

A 48-year-old woman had an 18-month history of malaise and chronic cough with intermittent episodes of fever, chills, and pneumonic infiltrates. Transbronchial biopsy findings were consistent with hypersensitivity pneumonitis. Cultures of fungus from a hot-tub room in her home were positive for Cladosporium species. Serum precipitins were weakly positive for Cladosporium cladosporioides. Removal of the patient from the home environment led to a resolution of symptoms within 1 week. Within 4 hours of re-exposure to the hot-tub room, symptoms and signs and changes in leukocyte count and spirometric values again occurred. Bronchial provocation with a commercial extract of C. cladosporioides led to a similar pattern 5 hours after the initial challenge. This case identifies a previously unreported etiologic agent and environmental site for hypersensitivity pneumonitis.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Alveolitis, Extrinsic Allergic / etiology*
  • Baths
  • Bronchial Provocation Tests
  • Cladosporium / immunology*
  • Dust
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Middle Aged
  • Mitosporic Fungi / immunology*
  • Precipitins / analysis
  • Skin Tests
  • Time Factors
  • Water Microbiology*

Substances

  • Dust
  • Precipitins