Goodpasture's Syndrome - Symptoms & Treatment

Goodpasture syndrome is a rare disease that can affect the lungs and kidneys. Goodpasture first described the disorder in 1919. An autoimmune disease is a condition in which the body's own defense system reacts against some part of the body itself. When the immune system is working normally, it creates cells called antibodies to fight off germs. In Goodpasture's syndrome, the immune system makes antibodies that attack the lungs and kidneys. But its first signs may be vague, like fatigue, nausea, dyspnea (difficulty breathing), or pallor. To diagnose Goodpasture's syndrome, doctors use a blood test, but a kidney biopsy (or a lung biopsy) may be necessary to check for the presence of the harmful antibody. Corticosteroids may be given intravenously to control bleeding in the lungs. A combination of factors has been implicated, among them the presence of an inherited component and exposure to certain chemicals. A process called plasmapheresis (PLAZ-ma-fer-REE-sis) may be helpful and necessary to filter the harmful antibodies from the blood; this is usually done in combination with the steroid treatment. But Goodpasture's syndrome does not usually lead to permanent lung damage. If the kidneys fail, dialysis to remove waste products and extra fluid from the blood or kidney transplantation may become necessary.

Csuses of Goodpasture's Syndrome

The common Csuses of Goodpasture's Syndrome :

• Smoking.
• Cocaine inhalation.
• Infection (eg, influenza A2).
• Exposure to organic solvents or hydrocarbons.
• Exposure to metal dusts.

Symptoms of Goodpasture's Syndrome

Some Symptoms of Goodpasture's Syndrome :

• Chest pain
• Dark colored urine
• Pale skin
• Weakness
• Nausea and vomiting
• Bloody urine
• Difficulty breathing after exertion
• Fatigue
• Nausea

Treatment of Goodpasture's Syndrome

• The main goal is to remove the circulating antibodies from the blood. An early diagnosis is very important. The patient's outlook is much worse if the kidneys are already severely damaged when treatment begins.
• Goodpasture's syndrome is treated with oral immunosuppressive drugs to keep the immune system from making antibodies.
• Corticosteroids, immunosuppressives, or other medications may be used to treat some of the causes of Goodpasture's Syndrome
• Anti-inflammatory and cytotoxic agents (such as prednisone or cyclophosphamide) may be needed.
• Dialysis or kidney transplantation may be necessary to control symptoms of renal failure and to sustain life.
• A process called plasmapheresis may be helpful and necessary to remove the harmful antibodies from the blood; this is usually done in combination with the immunosuppressive drug treatment.
• Antibiotic treatment of lung infection and stopping smoking may also help to reduce lung haemorrhaging.