Diagnostic accuracy of specific IgG antibodies for bird fancier’s lung: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Bird fancier’s lung (BFL), a type of hypersensitivity pneumonitis (HP), is a complex syndrome caused by lung inflammation in response to avian proteins inhaled from avian droppings, serum, and feathers (1). The prevalence of BFL is reported to be 20 to 20,000 per 100,000 at-risk persons (2). Further, the incidence of HP mortality, including that from BFL, has increased recently (3). The diagnosis of BFL is made in patients with a history of avian exposure using a combination of serologic assays, radiological and pathological findings, and an antigen-avoidance trial (4)