Etiology

Pathophysiology

• Auto-antibodies against collagen type IV in the renal and pulmonary capillary basement membrane
• Possibly triggered by viral infections, lymphoma

Clinical features

• Hemoptysis
• Cough
• Dyspnea
• Nephritic syndrome
  • Usually presents as RPGN type 1
  • Proliferative glomerulonephritis

Diagnostics

• Anti-GBM antibodies
• Hemosiderin-filled macrophages in sputum
  • Due to intra-alveolar bleeding. Macrophages that subsequently phagocytose the erythrocytes are called “heart failure cells.”
  • These cells may also be detected in the sputum of patients with pulmonary infarction, vasculitis, or aspiration of blood.
• Iron deficiency anemia

Treatment