Abstract
Rabbit models of pigeon breeder's lung were produced to study histological and immunological changes in “CFA-pigeon serum immunized and insufflated with pigeon serum group” (group I) and in “insufflation with pigeon serum-alone group” (group II). These groups showed high titers of antibodies against pigeon serum and high population of lymphocytes in bronchoalveolar fluid cells. Histologically, in group I, interstitial pneumonitis with diffuse granuloma formations was produced. On the other hand, in group II, interstitial pneumonitis with scattered granulomatous changes were produced. The histological changes in group I were suggested to be associated with “adjuvant granuloma effect”. Lymphocyte transformation test was studied to evaluate the role of cell-mediated hypersensitivity in the pathogenesis of hypersensitivity pneumonitis. Lymphocyte transformation against pigeon serum was measured in peripheral blood lymphocytes, spleen cells and paratracheal lymphnode cells, in these two experimental groups and in normal control group. In the two experimental groups, peripheral blood lymphocytes and spleen cells responded against pigeon serum to the same degree, but paratracheal lymph-node cells responded significantly greater in group II than in group I. These results suggested that local cell-mediated hypersensitivity mechanisms in the lungs played an important role in precipitating hypersensitivity pneumonitis.
