Allergies aux fientes d’oiseaux

Abstract

The problems of human–bird cohabitation are not a recent phenomenon even if today their importance has taken on an indisputable extent. Their droppings contain significant concentrations of microorganisms and can cause allergic diseases, such as hypersensitivity pneumonitis (HSP), formerly called extrinsic allergic alveolitis, but also rhinitis, asthma or conjunctivitis. We report a rare case of allergy to bird droppings in a patient who raises chickens and canaries, having consulted for rhinoconjunctivitis whose allergological assessment found sensitization of these droppings with positive skin and specific IgE tests. Its management consisted of avoiding the risk with medical treatment. It is a rare pathology that must be considered in the event of exposure to birds.