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Pulmonary alveolar proteinosis

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Pulmonary alveolar proteinosis

Definition:

Pulmonary alveolar proteinosis is a disease in which a phospholipid (a compound widely distributed in living cells) accumulates within spaces in the lungs where oxygen and carbon dioxide are exchanged.

Alternative Names:
Alveolar proteinosis

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Causes, incidence, and risk factors:

In some cases, the cause of pulmonary alveolar proteinosis is unknown. In others, it is associated with infection or immune deficiency.

This rare disorder generally affects people 30 - 50 years old and is seen in men more often than in women.

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