Question

Bagassosis is-
A. A type of hypersensitivity pneumonitis due to fibrous cellular part of crushed sugar cane.
B. A type of asthma like condition produced due to exposure to flax or cotton fibre.
C. A type of hypersensitivity pneumonitis due to damp hay or grain.
D. A type of hypersensitivity pneumonitis due to exposure to paprika.

Answer 1

Hypersensitivity is commonly known as allergic reaction and pneumonitis is the inflammation of lung tissue. Memorise the definitions of types of hypersensitivities in order to answer such questions correctly.

Complete answer:
Hypersensitivity pneumonitis, also called extrinsic allergic alveolitis (EAA) is an immune system disorder which affects the lungs. It is the inflammation of the alveoli within the lungs. It is caused due to inhaled organic dust. It is of three types;
Acute- it is a type of hypersensitivity pneumonitis symptoms develop within 4–6 hours of exposure to the antigen. Symptoms can be fever, chills, cough, chest tightness, dyspnoea, rashes, swelling and headache. Symptoms may last from 12 hours to several days upon degree of exposure.
Sub-acute- in this type of hypersensitivity pneumonitis, the symptoms are less severe and include a productive cough, dyspnoea, fatigue, weight loss, anorexia, and pleurisy. Symptoms last longer than acute type.
Chronic- in chronic type of hypersensitivity pneumonitis, the symptoms include the onset of cough, progressive dyspnoea, fatigue, clubbing, weight loss, respiratory distress, etc. the recovery can be partial to complete. Prevention from further exposure to the antigens is recommended.
The hypersensitivity pneumonitis due to Fibrous cellular part of crushed sugar cane causes bagassosis.

Thus the correct option is- A. A type of hypersensitivity pneumonitis due to fibrous cellular part of crushed sugar cane.

Note: now we know the definition of bagassosis. Let’s have a look at the conditions caused by different antigens-
A type of hypersensitivity pneumonitis due to damp hay or grain is called- Farmer’s lung.
A type of hypersensitivity pneumonitis due to exposure to paprika is called paprika splitter’s lungs.