Proteins that cause bird fanciers lung

[vernonann]

Just wondering if anyone might know the specific proteins in parakeets and budgies that cause bird fanciers lung. Thank you.

[PMRPete]

sciencedirect.com/topics/me...

[2greys]

As well as PMR Pete's link here is yet another one.

researchgate.net/publicatio...

BTW (by the way) I have kept a pair of African Grey parrots for 31 years, I do take precautions and have no signs of bird fanciers lung, but used to smoke and now have emphysema and more smoking related diseases. Funnily enough most of the precautions I take have had not been to with my health but originally more for the birds' health although, of course, it does work both ways.

[megannell]

" What an interesting question you've asked..I can't add anymore to your request.. the links Pete and 2 greys added, covered your Questions.. I suffer with Cage birds lung disease..some professionals call it Farmers lung..as a retired veterinary surgeon, I worked a lot on farms with poultry.. i also worked with tropical birds for a long time. My health forced me to have to retire earlier than I wanted to..

I am now in stage 4 with my lung condition. I did keep parrots and budgies myself. . But sadly I was forced to part with them, due to the danda on their skin and feathers only made my lung problems worse.. thank you for highlighting this condition...Megan... "

[vernonann in reply to megannell]

I'm sorry that you're going through this right now. It's very sad that you dedicated a huge part of your life to take care of animals and got sick in the process. I'm actually trying to help a friend of mine who is in a very similar situation as yourself. She kept parakeets and budgies. She developed bird fanciers disease and now has permanent scarring, has to walk around with a big oxygen tank all the time, and I think last doctor visit they said 24% lung function left. Anyway, I'm in the United States and having a really hard time trying to get her treatment. They seem to want to put everything in a box and not take any extra time to find out what they need to in order to help the patient. I've been a nurse in hospitals for the past 10 years and I've seen it way more than I ever wanted to. They told her that she would need to find out what three microorganisms are present in the parakeet and budgie droppings so that they could grow them in a Petri dish to identify them and find out what medication she needs. However, they also followed it up with stating that even if she does find out, we apparently don't have the sophisticated or powerful enough equipment to be able to see these microorganisms. She keeps telling me that they have a cure or treatment in the UK but I just can't find it or don't know who to ask for help. I very much appreciate you responding and I will pray that your condition gets better. Thank you.

[2greys]

How sad that you had to give up your parrots. It would be a huge loss for me to have to give to give up my "fids" after 31 years of being part of our family now that our human kids have left home.

Fortunately I have managed to get over most of the problems of their dander, they have two very large cages, joined together to make a flight avery, situated in a spare room, which is next to the bathroom. A small hole through the wall to supply water to a spray head that is used prior to entering "their" room with easy clean vinyl floor, damps down their dust, also doubles up to give them a "rain forest shower". Coupled with air filters, solves most of the problems, and they are dripping wet before being allowed onto their favourite perches, daddy's shoulders.

I feel your loss.

[TwinklingStar]

Dear Vernonann

My test results showed: "Avian Perciptans - Positive". This triggered many questions about whether I had recently had contact with birds but because I had no contact for over 6 years they decided this was not the cause of my diagnosis which is "Presumed Non-Specific Interstitial Pneumonitis".

I hope you find the answers you need as soon as possible.

Kind Regards

Twinkling Star