Goodpasture’sSyndrome

By Nick Lindsey, Cameron Miller

What is Goodpasture’s Syndrome?

A rare disease that can affect the lungs and the kidneys.

Autoimmune disease The body begins to attack the lungs

and the kidneys because the immune system tells it to do so.

Researchers have identified several causes such as: exposure to certain chemicals, and viral infections.

It is a Autoimmune Disease

It is a autoimmune rather than an allergic disease.

Goodpasture’s disease occurs when the immune system damages certain structures in the walls of air sacs and capillaries of the lungs and the filtering of the apparatus of the kidneys.

Antibodies trigger inflammation that interferes with functions of the lungs and kidneys.

Lung Symptoms

Shortness of breath Coughing up blood Blood loss A dry cough

Kidney Symptom

Bloody urine Burning sensation when urinating Nausea and vomiting Pale skin Swelling (edema) in any area of the

body, especially the lungs

Treatments

The main goal of treatment is to remove harmful antibodies from the blood.

Plasmapheresis: removes blood from the body and replaces the plasma with fluid, protein or donated plasma.

Corticosteroid medication: suppresses the immune system.

Controlling hypertension with ACE (angiotensin-converting enzymes)

Treatments cont.

Limiting salt intake and fluids to control swelling

Additional Information

Goodpasture’s syndrome can easily lead to loss of lung and kidney function and sometimes death.

Many people need supportive care until the syndrome runs its entire course.

Blood transfusions may be needed if treatments do not help

If the kidneys fail kidney dialysis or transplant may be required.

Works Cited

www.jrheum.org www.kidney.niddk.nhi.gov www.merckmanuals.com www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov www.nlm.nih.gov Picture sources: http://www.medindia.net/patients/patie

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http://www.bio.davidson.edu/courses/immunology/students/spring2000/carter/restricted/Cresgn.jpg

http://www.bio.davidson.edu/courses/immunology/students/spring2000/carter/restricted/Goodpast.jpg

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