What is farmer’s lung?

Farmer’s lung (also known as hypersensitivity pneumonitis) is an allergic disease to mould that grows on crops such as hay. It is not infectious, but some people’s immune systems are hypersensitive and react to mould spores. Symptoms of farmer’s lung initially resemble a mild cold with tightness in the chest.

However, after several repeated exposure and acute attacks, the lungs may be permanently damaged and a chronic response may cause depression, no appetite and weight loss, increasingly worse shortness of breath, and weakness. The bacterium Micropolyspora faeni (M. faeni), also known as Saccharopolyspora rectivirgula, is the main cause of farmer’s lung. M. faeni antibodies are produced by the body’s immune system in farmer’s lung in response to the bacteria.

Why take the test?

This test detects the presence of M. faeni antibodies and can be used to help diagnose Farmer’s lung.