Immunofluorescent antibodies in patients with bird-fancier's lung.

To assess its value as a screen for avian antibodies, indirect immunofluorescence against avian intestinal tissue has been to test sera from thirty-nine patients with documented bird-fancier's lung disease, thirty-eight asymptomatic bird-fanciers and 257 controls without known avian contact. Immunofluorescent antibodies occurred more frequently than precipitins among patients with BFL and asymptomatic bird-fanicers. Globular fluorescence within the mucus occurred only in patients with avian contact, although other fluorescent antibodies were seen with control patients. No particular pattern was confined to patients with the lung disease. When included in an autoantibody profile, indirect immunofluorescence provides a sensitive and convenient alternative to precipitin methods in screening for avian antibodies.