Pigeon breeders' disease: quantitative immunoelectrophoretic studies of pigeon bloom antigen

Clin Exp Allergy. 1989 Nov;19(6):619-24. doi: 10.1111/j.1365-2222.1989.tb02756.x.

Abstract

This study employed quantitative immunoelectrophoretic techniques, on sera from confirmed cases of pigeon breeders' disease (PBD), to investigate the antigenicity of a pigeon bloom extract, implicated as a sensitizing agent in this disease. On crossed immunoelectrophoresis the maximum number of antigenic components identified was 29 for the bloom compared to 10 for pigeon serum. A major component was shown to be closely related to pigeon IgA, and demonstrated partial crossreactivity to the pigeon IgG. This component also showed identity with the major component of a pigeon droppings extract, considered to be derived from intestinal IgA. Only trace amounts of serum albumin were detected and most other bloom components were not serum-related. Although greater overall antigenic similarity was found to pigeon droppings extract, at least three of the bloom components appeared to be specific. The bloom extract also contained a low amount of an alpha-techoic acid-like component, causing some non-specific reactivity. Pigeon feather dust or 'bloom', like pigeon droppings, is therefore a potent source of antigens associated with PDB--pigeon IgA being a major component of both antigens.

MeSH terms

  • Allergens / isolation & purification
  • Alveolitis, Extrinsic Allergic / etiology*
  • Animals
  • Antigens / isolation & purification*
  • Bird Fancier's Lung / etiology*
  • Columbidae / immunology*
  • Feces / analysis
  • Humans
  • Immunoelectrophoresis, Two-Dimensional
  • Immunoglobulin A / isolation & purification
  • Immunoglobulin G / isolation & purification

Substances

  • Allergens
  • Antigens
  • Immunoglobulin A
  • Immunoglobulin G