IV.2.3. Hypersensitivity pneumonitis (HSP)
Hypersensitivity pneumonitis is defined as “an interstitial lung
disease resulting from an immune-mediated response in susceptible and
sensitized individuals to a large variety of inhaled antigens found in
the environment”, with fungal antigens among the most frequent.
Fungal-related HSP usually occurs because of prolonged exposure to
fungal material, often in an occupational setting, and manifests as lung
functional deterioration accompanied by exaggerated antigen-specific IgG
and cellular responses (17,19).