Hypersensitivity pneumonitis caused by Fusarium napiforme in a home environment.

Abstract

We report a case of hypersensitivity pneumonitis (HP) in a 17-year-old male student caused by Fusarium napiforme found in his home environment. The patient was diagnosed according to history, chest radiograph, spirometry, high-resolution chest CT, and transbronchial lung biopsy. To identify the causative agent, cultured aeromolds were collected by the open-plate method. From the main fungi cultured, fungal antigens were prepared, and immunoblot analysis with the patient's serum and each fungal antigen was performed. Five fungal species were isolated from the patient's home. Immunoblotting analysis with the patient's serum demonstrated more than 10 IgG-binding fractions to F. napiforme extract only, while little binding was noted with the other fungal antigens. We should be aware that HP may be caused by F. napiforme in the home environment.