Pulmonary Alveolar Proteinosis (PAP) in pregnancy: An important spot diagnosis

Pulmonary alveolar proteinosis is a relatively rare syndrome of pulmonary surfactant clearance dysfunction that could present like asthma. A middle-aged pregnant lady presented with asthma-like symptoms which was negative for autoimmune screening, whom thoracic imaging consistent with ground-glass opacity superimposed with septal thickening. Whole lung bronchopulmonary lavage fluid analysis showed predominantly eosiniphilic material within alveolar space. Subsequent lung biopsy revealed positive PAS stain for eosinophilic material. Its presentation in pregnancy could pose challenge to delivery. The associated maternal infection risk could compromise fetal survival.