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Pigeon breeders' lung—the effect of loft litter materials on airborne particles and antigens

An Andersen sampler was used to collect different sized fractions of airborne dust within pigeon lofts. Antigens associated with pigeon breeders’ lung were then measured using an ELISA technique. Levels of soluble antigen in the 0.5–5 μm range correlated significantly with airborne particle concentrations in the same range, determined by particle size analysis. However, antigenic material was not soley confined to the 0.5–5 μm fraction and was detected in particles up to 11 μm in diameter. Using both particle size analysis and ELISA in local pigeon lofts revealed significantly increased particles (up to × 50) and antigens (up to × 10) in some lofts employing litter materials to dehydrate voided pigeon droppings, compared with lofts cleaned regularly with no litter agent. Paradoxically, ventilation did not influence particle or antigen concentrations under static conditions or during loft cleaning. The settling rate of loft dusts correlated significantly with that of the litter used, suggesting litter particles were a carrier for soluble pigeon dropping components, but differences in particle numbers generated from the litters and litter/dropping combinations showed that an interaction between voided droppings and litter agents had occurred. A change from litter systems to regular cleaning was undertaken in two lofts, resulting in a marked decrease in respirable particles and antigens.