title: Alpha-1-antitrypsin deficiency asthma and allergy.
abstract: The biochemistry, genetics and pathology of alpha-1-anti-trypsin deficiency are reviewed. The geographical distribution in Europe of more current phenotypes M, SZ is discussed. Two cases of alpha-1- anti-trypsin are presented one homozygotic ZZ non-smoker without any respiratory pathology and one heterozygotic SZ heavy smoker with a severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and reversibility to Beta-2-mimetics suggesting asthma. The relationship between alpha-1-antitrypsin and asthma is discussed and general measures of treatment or prevention suggested.
authors.affiliation: Clinical Allergy Immunology Center-CAIC, Lisbon, Portugal.
authors.forename: A G
authors.initials: AG
authors.lastname: Palma-Carlos
authors.forename: M L
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Palma-Carlos
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001249:Asthma / Q000209:etiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008099:Liver / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010641:Phenotype; D029424:Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive / Q000209:etiology; D000515:alpha 1-Antitrypsin / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology; D019896:alpha 1-Antitrypsin Deficiency / Q000150:complications* / Q000235:genetics / Q000473:pathology
chemical_list: D000515:alpha 1-Antitrypsin