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