Pneumopathies d’hypersensibilité en milieu professionnel

Abstract

Hypersensitivity pneumonitis has been extensively described in the past. However, recent reports have progressively modified our previous approach to the disease. These acquisitions especially concern: the increase in new etiological circumstances, especially occupational, and in new antigens; the key role of exposure factors and environmental cofactors which may mainly govern the development and outcome of the disease; the importance of bronchial obstruction and even emphysema as a long-term sequelae; for diagnosis, the major contribution of chest high-resolution CT scan which often shows characteristic images; finally, for treatment and prognosis, the possibility for patients, especially farmers, to carry on their occupation with some precautions.