Pneumopathies d'hypersensibilité en milieu professionnel

Hypersensitivity pneumonitis has been extensively described in the past. However, recent reports have progressively modified our previous approach to the disease. These acquisitions especially concern: the increase in new etiological circumstances, especially occupational, and in new antigens; the key role of exposure factors and environmental cofactors which may mainly govern the development and outcome of the disease; the importance of bronchial obstruction and even emphysema as a long-term sequelae; for diagnosis, the major contribution of chest high-resolution CT scan which often shows characteristic images; finally, for treatment and prognosis, the possibility for patients, especially farmers, to carry on their occupation with some precautions.