COPD and endobronchial polyposis associated with hypogammaglobulinemia. Are proteolytic enzymes involved?
The present report describes a patient who had severe obstructive lung disease in association with acquired hypogammaglobulinemia. Evidence obtained by bronchoalveolar lavage is presented that suggests that his lung disease resulted from both a marked increase in elastase load and a reduction in protease inhibitor function.
D000328:Adult; D000361:Agammaglobulinemia / Q000150:complications*; D001999:Bronchoscopy; D006801:Humans; D008168:Lung / Q000032:analysis; D008173:Lung Diseases, Obstructive / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology* / Q000276:immunology; D008297:Male; D011127:Polyps / Q000209:etiology; D011859:Radiography; D007507:Therapeutic Irrigation; D014132:Trachea / Q000473:pathology