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Pulmonary alveolar proteinosis - Overview

Alternative Names

Alveolar proteinosis

Definition of Pulmonary alveolar proteinosis:

Pulmonary alveolar proteinosis is a rare disease in which a type of protein builds up in the air sacs (alveoli) of the lungs, making breathing difficult.

Causes, incidence, and risk factors:

In some cases, the cause of pulmonary alveolar proteinosis is unknown. In others, it is associated with infection or immune deficiency.

This rare disorder generally affects people 30 - 50 years old and is seen in men more often than in women.

Respiratory system

Reviewed last on: 3/1/2007
David A. Kaufman, M.D., Assistant Professor, Division of Pulmonary Medicine, Mount Sinai School of Medicine, New York, NY. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

References

Mason RJ, Broaddus VC, Murray JF, Nadel, JA. Murray and Nadel's Textbook of Respiratory Medicine. 4th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: WB Saunders; 2005.

Presneill JJ, Nakata K, Inoue Y, Seymour JF. Pulmonary alveolar proteinosis. Clin Chest Med. September 2004; 25:593-613.

Tamul PC, Peruzzi WT. Assessment and management of patients with pulmonary disease. Crit Care Med. April 2004; 32:S137-S145.

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