[Respiratory diseases associated to surfactant proteins B and C deficiency].

Pulmonary surfactant is a mixture of lipids and proteins necessary to reduce alveolar surface tension and prevent end expiratory atelectasis. The hydrophobic surfactant proteins B and C are essential for lung function and pulmonary homeostasis after birth. Mutations in the genes encoding surfactant proteins B and C are associated with acute respiratory failure and interstitial lung disease. Diagnosis is possible through DNA analysis from blood leucocytes and immunostaining from lung tissue.