Mushroom worker's lung

Last revised by Daniel J Bell on 18 Oct 2020

Citation, DOI, disclosures and article data

Citation:

Hacking C, Bell D, Di Muzio B, Mushroom worker's lung. Reference article, Radiopaedia.org (Accessed on 18 Apr 2024) https://doi.org/10.53347/rID-78905

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.53347/rID-78905

Permalink:

https://radiopaedia.org/articles/78905

rID:

78905

Article created:

15 Jun 2020, Craig Hacking ◉ ◈

Disclosures:

At the time the article was created Craig Hacking had no recorded disclosures.

View Craig Hacking's current disclosures

Last revised:

18 Oct 2020, Daniel J Bell ◉

Disclosures:

At the time the article was last revised Daniel J Bell had no recorded disclosures.

View Daniel J Bell's current disclosures

Revisions:

3 times, by 3 contributors - see full revision history and disclosures

Systems:

Chest

Synonyms:

Mushroom worker lung

Mushroom worker’s disease is a hypersensitivity pneumonitis caused by the occupational exposure of allergenic fungal spores and compost associated with the inhalation of organic dust from mushroom composting and spawning.

Clinical presentation

It presents as an acute pulmonary illness with cough, fever, and dyspnea. Weight loss has been described. Clinical features are consistent with other forms of hypersensitivity pneumonitis, and as is typical, removal of the patient from the allergenic environment causes resolution of symptoms.

Countries vary in the species of fungi commercially grown which has led to various subtypes of disease based on the species and agricultural methods being described.

Radiological features

Chest radiograph and chest CT show typical features of hypersensitivity pneumonitis, which may progress to fibrosis. Radiographic resolution is expected following the removal of the patient from the allergenic environment.