Bronchoalveolar Immune Response Determination

Study to Determine the Immune Response From Broncho-alveolar Cells Against Pigeon Specific Antigens

The purpose of this study is to establish if cells present in lung tissue during extrinsic allergic alveolitis (EAA) are able to elicit an immune response against specific antigens. The hypothesis is: cells in BAL lavage fluid from patients with EAA will be responsive to specific antigens and this response can be measured using ELISPOT.

Subjects suffering from extrinsic allergic alveolitis caused by pigeons will undergo a broncho alveolar lavage. Cells obtained from this BAL will be used for ELISPOT technique with pigeon specific antigens

Inclusion Criteria:

• suspicion of pigeon induced extrinsic alveolitis

Exclusion Criteria:

• use of oral steroids
• unable to give informed consent
• age below 18