Inhalation challenge in pigeon breeder's disease: BAL fluid changes after 6 hours

The purpose of this study was to determine the cellular events occurring 6 h after bronchial inhalation challenge, in a group of pigeon breeders. Twelve subjects agreed to undergo challenge, either with nebulized pigeon serum (Ps) (n = 10), or with saline (n = 2). The development of characteristic symptoms was used to detect a positive response in combination with monitoring tests (white blood cell count (WBC), body temperature, and spirometry). An initial bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) was performed before inhalation challenge, and a further BAL on the previously spared right middle lobe subsegment or lingula 6 h after challenge. Paired bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) samples were analysed for urea, albumin, total and differential WBC, interleukin-1 and interleukin-2. There was a significant increase in total cells, lymphocytes, T-lymphocytes, and neutrophils; numbers.ml-1 of BALF in responders. A monitoring score reflecting severity of patient response correlated with an increase in all cell types (p < 0.05). In conclusion, responders developed both a BALF lymphocytic and neutrophilic "alveolitis" following inhalation challenge, the degree of BALF "alveolitis" correlating with the severity of patient response.