Causes And Risk Factors Of Hypersensitivity Pneumonitis
Hypersensitivity pneumonitis, also known as extrinsic allergic alveolitis, is a syndrome of the respiratory system that impacts the terminal bronchioli, lung parenchyma, alveolar interstitium, and the alveoli. It is the result of a delayed allergic reaction that is usually derivative from prolonged and consistent inhalation of numerous kinds of dust or other substances suspended in the air. An individual with hypersensitivity pneumonitis has become over responsive and sensitized to the substances or chemical they have been inhaling. More specifically, hypersensitivity pneumonitis can be a reaction to agents such as proteins from animals and plants, microbes, organic chemicals, and inorganic chemicals. The main challenges of hypersensitivity pneumonitis are the identification and avoidance of the causative antigen. Uncover the main causes and risk factors related to hypersensitivity pneumonitis now.
Inhaling Certain Chemicals
Hypersensitivity pneumonitis can develop from the repeated and consistent inhaling of certain chemicals used in numerous occupations and or around the home on a regular basis. Some of these chemicals include a type of plastics called anhydrides, a type of vineyard fungicide called Bordeaux mixture, types of plastics and paints called isocyanates, a chemical called Pauli's reagent, an insecticide called pyrethrum, and heavy metals such as beryllium and cobalt. Often these antigens are so tiny in diameter that they can be inhaled and end up all the way into the parenchyma of the lung and take the path of the vessels in the lymphatic system where they finally reach their destination at the respiratory bronchioles. It is the body's hyper-reactive inflammatory responses to the invading antigen that ends up causing the sensitization to said antigen. Large numbers of titers of antibodies specifically formed to fight off the causative agent and interstitial infiltration action by inflammatory cells are both ways the body has a hyper-responsive reaction to antigens.
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Genetic Factors
Some individuals have a gene that gives them a predisposition to Hypersensitivity pneumonitis. Similarly, other inflammatory diseases can also easily travel through genes. While genetic causative factors are fairly uncommon for hypersensitivity pneumonitis, it does happen as a result of the major histocompatibility complex or MHC gene. There are many kinds of molecules the MHC genes is responsible for encrypting into genetic material, and most of these molecules are implicated in the processing and presentation of antigens. This particular function is a component of the bodies adaptive immune responses and the communication it has with the natural killer cells or NK cells. Also, if the tumor necrosis factor (TNF) gene contains polymorphisms included in the promoter area, this can also cause a higher risk of developing numerous inflammatory type diseases. Studies have found some cases of hypersensitivity pneumonitis are due to similar patterns that occur in the alleles of the TNF and MHC genes inherited from biological family members.
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