[Diffuse panbronchioliltis associated with bullous pemphigoid].
A 64-year-old woman complained of multiple blisters in 1990. She had had a productive cough since 1975. Immunofluorescence study of a specimen obtained from a skin biopsy showed staining in a linear pattern for both IgG and C3 in the epithelial basement membrane zone (BMZ) of the dermal-epidermal junction, and a high titer of anti-BMZ antibody. These findings led to the diagnosis of bullous pemphigoid. Corticosteroid therapy was started, and resulted in some stabilization of the skin lesion. Exertional dyspnea and a productive cough developed gradually, and the patient was referred to our department in 1992. Chest X-ray film and CT findings revealed a diffuse granular shadow and bronchiectatic change, predominantly in the lower lung fields. Laboratory tests showed a high titer of cold hemagglutinin and a high level of serum immunoglobulin A. Pulmonary function tests showed a combined destructive-restrictive defect and hypoxemia (PaO2 = 58.5 Torr). From these findings diffuse panbronchiolitis was diagnosed. A low dose of erythromycin alleviated the patient's pulmonary symptoms and improved the chest radiographic findings.
Department of Pulmonary Medicine, Jichi Medical School, Tochigi, Japan.
K
K
Oshikawa
Y
Y
Sugiyama
S
S
Kitamura
D015551:Autoimmunity; D001988:Bronchiolitis / Q000209:etiology* / Q000276:immunology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D010391:Pemphigoid, Bullous / Q000150:complications* / Q000276:immunology