Pneumonitis describes general inflammation of lung tissue.[1][2] Possible causative agents include radiation therapy of the chest,[3] exposure to medications used during chemo-therapy, the inhalation of debris (e.g., animal dander), aspiration, herbicides or fluorocarbons and some systemic diseases. If unresolved, continued inflammation can result in irreparable damage such as pulmonary fibrosis.[4]
Pneumonitis is distinguished from pneumonia on the basis of causation as well as its manifestation. Pneumonia can be described as pneumonitis combined with consolidation and exudation of lung tissue due to infection with microorganisms.[5] The distinction between pneumonia and pneumonitis can be further understood with pneumonitis being the encapsulation of all respiratory infections (incorporating pneumonia and pulmonary fibrosis as major diseases), and pneumonia as a localized infection.[6] For most infections, the immune response of the body is enough to control and apprehend the infection within a couple days, but if the tissue and the cells can't fight off the infection, the creation of pus will begin to form in the lungs which then hardens into lung abscess or suppurative pneumonitis.[6] Patients that are immunodeficient and don't get treated immediately for any type of respiratory infection may lead to more severe infections and/or death.[6]
Pneumonitis can be classified into several different specific subcategories, including hypersensitivity pneumonitis, radiation pneumonitis, acute interstitial pneumonitis, and chemical pneumonitis. These all share similar symptoms, but differ in causative agents. Diagnosis of pneumonitis remains challenging,[7] but several different treatment paths (corticosteroids, oxygen therapy, avoidance) have seen success.[8]
^"pneumonitis" at Dorland's Medical Dictionary
^Stedman's medical dictionary (28th ed.). Philadelphia: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins. 2006. ISBN 978-0-7817-6450-6.
^"Pneumonitis - Symptoms and causes". mayoclinic.com.
^Cite error: The named reference patient.co.uk was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
fibrosis. Pneumonitis is distinguished from pneumonia on the basis of causation as well as its manifestation. Pneumonia can be described as pneumonitis combined...
within the lung. Hypersensitivity pneumonitis may eventually lead to interstitial lung disease. Hypersensitivity pneumonitis (HP) can be categorized as acute...
are two general types of chemical pneumonitis: acute and chronic. Irritants capable of causing chemical pneumonitis include vomitus, barium used in gastro-intestinal...
ampicillin/sulbactam, or moxifloxacin. For those with only chemical pneumonitis, antibiotics are not typically required. Among people hospitalized with...
Hydrocarbon pneumonitis is a kind of chemical pneumonitis which occurs with oral ingestion of hydrocarbons and associated aspiration. It occurs prominently...
Acute interstitial pneumonitis (also known as acute interstitial pneumonia) is a rare, severe lung disease that usually affects otherwise healthy individuals...
H; Kobayashi, H; Katada, K (2013). "Relationship between radiation pneumonitis and organizing pneumonia after radiotherapy for breast cancer". Radiation...
cases with routine microbiological tests. Pneumonitis refers to lung inflammation; pneumonia refers to pneumonitis, usually due to infection but sometimes...
and sand blasters among others are at higher risk. Hypersensitivity pneumonitis, most often resulting from inhaling dust contaminated with bacterial...
interstitial lung diseases (such as pneumoconiosis, hypersensitivity pneumonitis, lung fibrosis), infections, lung cancer and mesothelioma. These can...
side. Complications may include blockage of the airway or aspiration pneumonitis. PTA is typically due to infection by a number of types of bacteria....
can cause Schaumann bodies, including: Sarcoidosis, Hypersensitivity pneumonitis, and Berylliosis. uncommonly, Crohn's disease and tuberculosis. These...
and hypoxia. Airway obstruction may cause obstructive pneumonitis or post-obstructive pneumonitis. It can also be a sign of chronic obstructive pulmonary...
thought to be fibrosis, not inflammation. The term usual interstitial pneumonitis (UIP) has also often been used, but again, the -itis part of that name...
sensitizer / Contact dermatitis – After aspiration, pulmonary oedema, pneumonitis, and death GHS labelling: Pictograms Signal word Danger Hazard statements...
Himalayas. The fungus has been implicated in a case of hypersensitivity pneumonitis (called El Niño lung in the original report), in which a previously healthy...
consequence of another disease such as rheumatoid arthritis. Hypersensitivity pneumonitis due to an allergic reaction to inhaled particles. Acute respiratory distress...
glomerulonephritis, systemic lupus erythematosus, farmers' lung (hypersensitivity pneumonitis), and rheumatoid arthritis. The principal feature that separates type...
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