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A case of hypersensitivity pneumonitis resulting from residential exposure to composting materials was reported. The patient was a 39 year old male who was admitted to the hospital because of severe respiratory symptoms. A pulmonary infiltrate was identified on a chest x-ray; however, no evidence of infection was seen. The patient reported experiencing symptoms about 2 hours after performing yard work and had been spending approximately 16 hours each weekend doing yard work at his home. The symptoms resolved after 4 days without treatment. Two additional acute episodes of dyspnea, cough, arthralgia, and chills occurred over the next 3 weeks in association with the performance of yard work. Skin tests were positive for ragweed, dust mite, grass, and Aspergillus, and precipitating antibodies against Thermoactinomyces-vulgaris and an extract prepared from patient's compost pile were identified. Complete resolution of symptoms and radiographic findings was achieved by treatment with prednisone. This entity was termed residential composter's lung.
Annals of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology 74(1):45-47, 1995. (6 references)
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