Pulmonary alveolar proteinosis: two contrasting cases

dc.contributor.authorCrocker, H.
dc.contributor.authorPfitzner, J.
dc.contributor.authorDoyle, I.
dc.contributor.authorHague, W.
dc.contributor.authorSmith, B.
dc.contributor.authorRuffin, R.
dc.date.issued2000
dc.description.abstractPulmonary alveolar proteinosis is a rare condition characterized by the abnormal accumulation of surfactant-like material within the alveolar spaces and distal bronchioles. Two cases with contrasting modes of presentation, course, and response to therapeutic whole lung lavage are described. Both cases were in hypoxaemic respiratory failure at the time the definitive diagnosis was made, and in both cases the diagnosis was made by segmental bronchoalveolar lavage following negative open lung biopsy. In neither was an underlying causative organism or agent identified. In one case the alveolar proteinosis developed in late pregnancy, a presentation that is previously unreported. Clinical improvement in this case required repeated whole lung lavages and was accompanied by a trend towards normalization of the ratios of surfactant protein-A and surfactant protein-B to disaturated phospholipid, ratios which may be useful as prognostic indicators. The response to therapeutic lavage was markedly different in the two cases, and it is postulated that this may relate to the fact that alveolar proteinosis is a heterogeneous disease and that the course and response to treatment may relate in part to the specific composition of the abnormal proteinaceous fluid.
dc.identifier.citationEuropean Respiratory Journal, 2000; 15(2):426-429
dc.identifier.doi10.1034/j.1399-3003.2000.15b35.x
dc.identifier.issn0903-1936
dc.identifier.issn1399-3003
dc.identifier.orcidPfitzner, J. [0000-0002-2073-0022]
dc.identifier.orcidHague, W. [0000-0002-5355-2955]
dc.identifier.urihttp://hdl.handle.net/2440/5995
dc.language.isoen
dc.publisherMunksgaard Int Publ Ltd
dc.source.urihttps://doi.org/10.1034/j.1399-3003.2000.15b35.x
dc.subjectHumans
dc.subjectPulmonary Alveolar Proteinosis
dc.subjectPregnancy Complications
dc.subjectBronchoalveolar Lavage
dc.subjectPregnancy
dc.subjectAdult
dc.subjectFemale
dc.subjectMale
dc.titlePulmonary alveolar proteinosis: two contrasting cases
dc.typeJournal article
pubs.publication-statusPublished

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