DECREASED PULMONARY PERFUSION IN HYPERSENSITIVITY PNEUMONITIS CAUSED BY SHIITAKE MUSHROOM SPORES

Hypersensitivity pneumonitis is an occupational hazard of mushroom wor kers. We describe a patient with severe hypersensitivity pneumonitis c aused by spores of the Shiitake mushroom (Lentinus edodes) who showed a marked decrease in pulmonary perfusion, as demonstrated by pulmonary scintigraphy. This patient was treated successfully with prednisolone . These results suggest that pulmonary vasculitis may be associated wi th patients with hypersensitivity pneumonitis, and that steroid therap y may be clinically useful in treatment.