Chest
Volume 102, Issue 4, October 1992, Pages 1171-1174
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Bronchiolitis Obliterans Organizing Pneumonia Associated with Systemic Lupus Erythematosus

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Bronchiolitis obliterans organizing pneumonia (BOOP) is a pathologic entity characterized by the formation of plugs of fibrous tissue in bronchioles and alveolar ducts. It has been described in association with several connective tissue diseases including rheumatoid arthritis, polymyositis-dermatomyositis, and mixed connective tissue disease. Well-documented reports of BOOP in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) are limited. We report two patients with SLE who presented with subacute respiratory illnesses due to BOOP, adding further strength to the association of this entity with SLE.

Section snippets

CASE 1

A 54-year-old white man with a history of SLE was admitted to the hospital for evaluation of dyspnea, hypoxemia, and bilateral pulmonary infiltrates. Seven months earlier, he had presented with pleuritic chest pain and bilateral pleural effusions. The serum antinuclear antibody (ANA) titer was 1:2560 homogeneous, the antidouble stranded DNA antibody titer was 1:80, and pleural fluid analysis revealed a positive ANA titer and a positive LE cell smear. A diagnosis of SLE was made, and a regimen

DISCUSSION

Bronchiolitis obliterans organizing pneumonia is a pathologic pattern which is characterized by the formation of plugs of fibrous tissue within small airways and alveolar ducts, typically accompanied by inflammatory changes involving bronchioles and the surrounding interstitium.6, 7, 8 Although the precise mechanism of injury leading to the formation of BOOP is unclear, recent pathologic studies suggest that injury to the alveolar epithelium may play an important role.7, 8 Although this

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