Contemporary Research Analysis Journal

Background: Bird Fancier's Lung (BFL) is a pathological disease identified by inflammation of Bronchiole and alveoli. It is a very common form of hypersensitivity pneumonia resulting from exposure to avian antigens. The precise disease mechanisms are unclear but both antibody and T cell responses specific for pigeon antigens are implicated. Many cytokines play a crucial role in hypersensitivity. This study was amid to evaluate the association between increase concentration of IL-13 in serum and breeding Pigeon.

Method: This case – control study enrolled 100 people from Al-Najaf / Iraq, divided into two group: Group (1) included 50 Pigeon breeders (as patients who were breeders of pigeons only) Group (2) included 50 non-Pigeon breeders (healthy). ELISA technique was used to measure the concentration of IL-13 cytokine in serum from Pigeon breeders and compared the results with serum from healthy volunteers. Second, depending on a questionnaire, we analysis the results of IL-13 cytokine concentration in Pigeon breeders’ group as smoking habit, age and period of breeding Pigeon. 

Results: concentration of IL-13 in Pigeon breeders group were highly elevated from those of healthy non-Pigeon breeders (P≤0.0001). While data analysis through Pigeon breeders group show no significant differences of IL-13 cytokine concentration based on smoking habit, age and period of breeding.

Conclusion: IL-13 have a potential role in BFL disease resulting from pigeon breeding.

BFL: Bird Fancier's Lung, ELISA: Enzyme Linked Immuno- Sorbent Assay, Interleukin-13, Hypersensitivity Pneumonia, Pigeon breeders.

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