IV.2.3. Hypersensitivity pneumonitis (HSP)
Hypersensitivity pneumonitis is defined as “an interstitial lung disease resulting from an immune-mediated response in susceptible and sensitized individuals to a large variety of inhaled antigens found in the environment”, with fungal antigens among the most frequent. Fungal-related HSP usually occurs because of prolonged exposure to fungal material, often in an occupational setting, and manifests as lung functional deterioration accompanied by exaggerated antigen-specific IgG and cellular responses (17,19).