Abstract
Serum KL-6, SP-A and SP-D levels have been reported to be valuable indicators of the disease activity of interstitial pneumonia. We monitored there in a case of pulmonary alveolar proteinosis. A 67-year-old woman who presented with exertional dyspnea was found to have bilateral non-segmental reticular infiltration shadows in the middle and lower lung fields on her chest radiograph. Chest CT scan revealed diffuse ground glass opacities with thickening of the interlobular septum and a peripheral clear zone. Because pulmonary alveolar proteinosis was confirmed confirmed by bronchoalveolar lavage and transbronchial lung biopsy, total bilateral whole lung lavages were performed. The serum KL-6 level decreased after whole lung lavages and correlated with symptoms, opacities on the chest radiograph, and arterial blood gas measurements but the serum SP-A and SP-D level increased transiently after whole lung lavages. The serum KL-6, SP-A and SP-D levels may be useful monitoring markers for pulmonary alveolar proteinosis.
