ABSTRACT

Hypersensitivity pneumonitis (HP) is one of the most frequent causes of interstitial lung diseases in our country, usually related to organic dust inhalation. The prevalence of HP is difficult to estimate because of country and same location variations. Clinically acute and subacute forms are the most frequent forms, but they may become chronic as there is mild contact with the antigen, but for long periods of time, as it happens in our country, where mortality raises to 29% rate in 5 years. Diagnosis is supported by the allergen identification (history of contact and antibodies), dyspnea, rales, a restrictive pattern, ground glass opacities (tomography), centric bronchiole nodes and lymphocytes (in the bronchialveolar lavage), as well as mononuclear interstitial inflammation and poorly defined granulomas (pathology). Early detection of HP may not only change the treatment, but prognosis may improve so here we present the most relevant aspects of this lung disease.

KEYWORDS

Hypersensitivity pneumonitis, diagnosis, radiologic image and therapeutics.

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