Proteinosis alveolar pulmonar

Abstract

Pulmonary Alveolar Proteinosis (PAP) is a rare disease characterized by the accumulation of surfactant derived lipoproteinaceous material filling the alveoli, secondary to failure of its clearance by macrophages. Most of the patients are adults that have auto antibodies directed to Granulocyte-Macrophage Colony Stimulating Factor (GM-CSF). The evolution is towards disturbed gaseous exchange with a wide spectrum of disease from spontaneous recovery to death. There are three forms of PAP: genetic, secondary and  autoimmune. Symptoms are scarce and patients may present with dyspnea, dry cough and hypoxemia. Chest X ray shows bilateral opacities and thorax CT depicts ground glass opacities surrounded by septal widening, the so called “crazy paving” pattern. Diagnosis is made on clinical and radiological grounds and confirmed by PAS positive staining of bronchoalveolar lavage material or surgical lung biopsy. Accepted treatment
is whole lung lavage (WLL) with saline. Alternatives are subcutaneous or inhaled GM-CSF, Plasmapheresis or Rituximab, and even modification of the method of WLL and combination of different manner of treatment.