Alveolar proteinosis treated with a single bronchial lavage.

An acute febrile illness with respiratory failure and pulmonary infiltrates is a recognized accompaniment of many infective and inflammatory diseases. We report a case of pulmonary alveolar proteinosis, with secondary bacterial infection, that responded to a single pulmonary lavage and the elimination of occupational exposure to dust. In contrast to other interstitial lung diseases, therapy with corticosteroid or antibiotic agents alone was not appropriate. This report underlines the need for early, active intervention in diffuse lung diseases, and emphasizes the importance of obtaining a specific diagnosis in directing subsequent therapy.