PULMONARY ALVEOLAR PROTEINOSIS

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Abstract
This recently described disease of unknown etiology is illustrated by this case report of a 53-year-old Negro man with an 18-month history of persistent cough productive of scanty whitish sputum and progressive dyspnea. X-rays of the chest showed a soft infiltrate in both lung bases which had not changed when reexamined one month later. Biopsy of the lung showed an alveolar filling process composed of a pink protein-aceous material which gave a positive periodic acid-Schiff reaction. Most of this patient''s laboratory tests were within normal limits. Tuberculin and histoplasmin sensitivity were demonstrated but are apparently unrelated to pulmonary alveolar proteinosis. The X-ray findings and the patient''s symptoms were not altered by tetracycline therapy. No conclusions as to the etiology of this disease could be drawn from this case.

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