Hypersensitivity Pneumonia Due to Lentil Aspiration: A Rare but Painstaking Pulmonary Illness

• Published in: Global pediatric health 2024, Vol.11, p.2333794X241304580
• Main Authors: Mollah, Md Abid Hossain, Nahar, Jebun, Purakayostho, Priya, Tabassum, Nabila, Ahmed, Tasnima, Khan, Sherin, Jashim, Sabrina, Chisti, Mohammod Jobayer
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• ISSN: 2333-794X; 2333-794X
• DOI: 10.1177/2333794X241304580

A 7-month-old girl had been suffering from progressively deteriorating pneumonia despite getting multiple courses of broad-spectrum antibiotics as well as anti-fungal drugs for adequate duration. To find out the cause behind this deterioration, the patient underwent thorough clinical and relevant laboratory evaluation including chest radiology & imaging, screening for primary immune deficiency disorders (PID), cystic fibrosis, tuberculosis, invasive fungal pneumonia, congenital heart disease, covid pneumonia, TORCH etc. but failed to solve the mystery. Upon further detailed re-evaluation, it was discovered that the child had a history of being forcefully fed lentil-based khichuri (a rice-lentil mixed dish) during her weaning process and diagnosis was finally confirmed as hypersensitive pneumonia due to lentil aspiration by a high level of IgG, specific to lentil antigen. Treatment was commenced with prednisolone resulting in significant improvement in her clinical and radiological condition within 72 hours.