Onari Yojiro, Yamaoka Naoki, Taniwaki Masaya, Nakao Ryoko, Murai Hiroshi, Terada Michikazu, Kuraoka Toshihiko
Department of Internal Medicine, Federation of National Public Service and Affiliated Personnel Mutual Aid Associations, Yoshijima Hospital, 3-2-33, Yoshijima-higashi, Nakaku, Hiroshima 730-0822, Japan.
Nihon Kokyuki Gakkai Zasshi. 2003 Jun;41(6):392-6.
The patient was a 32-year-old man in whom pulmonary tuberculosis had occurred 5 years after the presumptive onset of pulmonary alveolar proteinosis. A diagnosis of pulmonary tuberculosis was made by sputum smears positive for acid-fast bacilli. Computer tomography of the chest showed ground glass opacities, consolidation and cavitation. Rifampicin, isoniazid and ethambutol were given daily, and streptomycin three times a week. Serial chest radiographs revealed progressive clearing not only of the new but also of the old lung infiltrates thought to be due to pulmonary alveolar proteinosis. Serum LDH and CEA returned to normal values. This case indicates the possibility of improving pulmonary alveolar proteinosis by tuberculosis infection or antituberculosis therapy.
