Bird Fancier’s Disease in a 50 Year Old Woman

Abstract

Background: Although considered a rare disease, bird fancier's disease (BFD) is actually the most common type of hypersensitivity pneumonitis. It is a disease that is historically misdiagnosed and therefore the most common sequelae often include years of suffering and side effects, as in the case of this particular patient. Case Report: This is the presentation of a 50-year-old owner of a cockatoo, who for 25 years thought that she had persistent asthma. However, after being away from her bird while on a business trip, she experienced a reprieve of her symptoms followed by their exacerbation on returning home. This led to her being correctly diagnosed with BFD. Conclusion: Asthmatic patients should be asked about environmental exposures to potential allergic antigens, especially when the asthma symptoms are persistent and chronic in nature.