1. By Nick Lindsey, Cameron Miller

2.  A rare disease that can affect the lungs and the kidneys.  Autoimmune disease  The body begins to attack the lungs and the kidneys because the immune system tells it to do so.  Researchers have identified several causes such as: exposure to certain chemicals, and viral infections.

3.  It is a autoimmune rather than an allergic disease.  Goodpasture’s disease occurs when the immune system damages certain structures in the walls of air sacs and capillaries of the lungs and the filtering of the apparatus of the kidneys.  Antibodies trigger inflammation that interferes with functions of the lungs and kidneys.

4.  Shortness of breath  Coughing up blood  Blood loss  A dry cough

5.  Bloody urine  Burning sensation when urinating  Nausea and vomiting  Pale skin  Swelling (edema) in any area of the body, especially the lungs

6.  The main goal of treatment is to remove harmful antibodies from the blood.  Plasmapheresis: removes blood from the body and replaces the plasma with fluid, protein or donated plasma.  Corticosteroid medication: suppresses the immune system.  Controlling hypertension with ACE (angiotensin-converting enzymes)

7.  Limiting salt intake and fluids to control swelling

8.  Goodpasture’s syndrome can easily lead to loss of lung and kidney function and sometimes death.  Many people need supportive care until the syndrome runs its entire course.  Blood transfusions may be needed if treatments do not help  If the kidneys fail kidney dialysis or transplant may be required.

9.  www.jrheum.org www.jrheum.org  www.kidney.niddk.nhi.gov www.kidney.niddk.nhi.gov  www.merckmanuals.com www.merckmanuals.com  www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov  www.nlm.nih.gov www.nlm.nih.gov  Picture sources:  http://www.medindia.net/patients/patientinfo/images /goodpastures-syndrome.jpg http://www.medindia.net/patients/patientinfo/images /goodpastures-syndrome.jpg  http://www.bio.davidson.edu/courses/immunology/st udents/spring2000/carter/restricted/Cresgn.jpg http://www.bio.davidson.edu/courses/immunology/st udents/spring2000/carter/restricted/Cresgn.jpg  http://www.bio.davidson.edu/courses/immunology/st udents/spring2000/carter/restricted/Goodpast.jpg http://www.bio.davidson.edu/courses/immunology/st udents/spring2000/carter/restricted/Goodpast.jpg  http://pathwiki.pbworks.com/f/renalslide%2013-1.png http://pathwiki.pbworks.com/f/renalslide%2013-1.png