Goodpasture syndrome

Rare autoimmune disease

Goodpasture syndrome
Synonyms	Goodpasture’s disease, antiglomerular basement antibody disease, anti-GBM disease
Pronounce
Field	Nephrology, Pulmonology, Rheumatology
Symptoms	Hemoptysis, cough, shortness of breath, hematuria
Complications	Lung hemorrhage, kidney failure
Onset	Typically young adults or elderly individuals
Duration	Chronic (manageable with treatment)
Types
Causes	Autoantibodies against basement membrane antigens
Risks	Genetic predisposition, environmental factors (e.g., smoking, exposure to hydrocarbons)
Diagnosis	Kidney biopsy, detection of anti-GBM antibodies, chest X-ray
Differential diagnosis	Granulomatosis with polyangiitis, systemic lupus erythematosus, other forms of glomerulonephritis
Prevention	Avoidance of risk factors (e.g., smoking cessation)
Treatment	Immunosuppressive therapy, plasmapheresis
Medication	Corticosteroids, cyclophosphamide
Prognosis	Variable, depends on early diagnosis and treatment
Frequency	Rare (~1 per million annually)
Deaths	Rare with prompt treatment

Antibody structure relevant in autoimmune diseases like Goodpasture syndrome

Goodpasture syndrome (GPS), also known as anti-glomerular basement membrane disease, is a rare autoimmune disease characterized by the presence of antibodies that target the basement membrane in the lungs and kidneys. This immune attack leads to serious complications including pulmonary hemorrhage and rapidly progressive kidney failure.

Signs and Symptoms

Typical clinical features include:

• Hemoptysis (coughing up blood)
• Shortness of breath
• Fatigue
• Pallor
• Hematuria (blood in urine)
• Edema due to renal impairment

Pathophysiology

Goodpasture syndrome occurs when the immune system mistakenly produces antibodies directed against collagen type IV, a key structural component of the basement membranes in pulmonary alveoli and renal glomeruli. This antibody attack results in inflammation and damage, leading to bleeding within the lungs and impaired kidney function.

Diagnosis

Diagnosis typically involves:

• Detection of anti-glomerular basement membrane (anti-GBM) antibodies in blood tests
• Kidney biopsy showing crescentic glomerulonephritis
• Chest imaging (X-ray or CT scan) showing signs of pulmonary hemorrhage

Treatment

Treatment strategies include:

• Plasmapheresis to remove circulating anti-GBM antibodies
• Immunosuppressive medications, including corticosteroids and cyclophosphamide, to reduce antibody production and inflammation
• Supportive therapy for kidney and lung function

Prognosis

The prognosis varies widely depending on how quickly the diagnosis is made and treatment initiated. Early intervention can lead to good outcomes, whereas delayed diagnosis or severe presentation increases the risk of irreversible kidney damage or respiratory failure.

Prevention

Primary preventive measures include reducing exposure to known risk factors, notably smoking and occupational exposure to hydrocarbons or solvents.

Epidemiology

Goodpasture syndrome is rare, with an estimated incidence of approximately 1 case per million individuals annually. It predominantly affects young adults and older individuals.

See Also

• Autoimmune disease
• Glomerulonephritis
• Pulmonary hemorrhage
• Kidney failure
• Plasmapheresis
• Pulmonary-renal syndrome

External links

• GBM antibodies: immunofluorescence image

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