Open AccessUpdate on Diagnosis and Treatment of Adult Pulmonary Alveolar Proteinosis
Author(s) -
Hira Iftikhar,
Girish B. Nair,
Anupam Kumar
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
therapeutics and clinical risk management
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.719
H-Index - 55
eISSN - 1178-203X
pISSN - 1176-6336
DOI - 10.2147/tcrm.s193884
Subject(s) - pulmonary alveolar proteinosis , medicine , bronchoalveolar lavage , lung , pathology , alveolar macrophage , immunology , surfactant protein c , macrophage , biochemistry , chemistry , in vitro
Pulmonary alveolar proteinosis (PAP) is a rare pulmonary surfactant homeostasis disorder resulting in buildup of lipo-proteinaceous material within the alveoli. PAP is classified as primary (autoimmune and hereditary), secondary, congenital and unclassifiable type based on the underlying pathogenesis. PAP has an insidious onset and can, in some cases, progress to severe respiratory failure. Diagnosis is often secured with bronchoalveolar lavage in the setting of classic imaging findings. Recent insights into genetic alterations and autoimmune mechanisms have provided newer diagnostics and treatment options. In this review, we discuss the etiopathogenesis, diagnosis and treatment options available and emerging for PAP.