IMMUNOFLUORESCENT ANTIBODIES IN PATIENTS WITH BIRD-FANCIERS LUNG

  • 1 January 1978
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 32  (2) , 259-262
Abstract
To assess its value as a screen for avian antiboides, indirect immunofluorescence against avian intestinal tissue was used to test sera from 39 patients with documented bird-fancier''s lung [BFL] disease, 38 asymptomatic bird-fanciers and 257 controls without known avian contact. Immunofluorescent antiboides occurred more frequently than precipitins among patients with BFL and asymptomatic bird-fanciers. Globular fluorescence within the mucus occurred only in patients with avian contact, although other fluorescent antibodies were seen with control patients. No particular pattern was confined to patients with the lung disease. When included in an autoantibody profile, indirect immunofluorescence provides a sensitive and convenient alternative to precipitin methods in screening for avian antibodies.