What is goodpasture's syndrome?

Goodpasture's syndrome, also known as anti-GBM disease, is a rare autoimmune disorder. With this syndrome, the immune system attacks the cells in the kidneys and lungs that are called basement membrane cells. (The cells in the kidneys are called glomerular basement membrane cells or GBM cells.) This causes inflammation of the filtering structures of the kidneys (glomerulonephritis), bleeding into the lungs, and low levels of red blood cells (anemia).

Goodpasture's syndrome may cause respiratory or kidney failure. Symptoms include:

• Coughing up blood (hemoptysis).
• Difficulty breathing.
• Fatigue.
• Chest pain.

Steroids and immunosuppressive medicines, such as cyclophosphamide, are used to treat Goodpasture's syndrome. Often, it is also treated with plasma exchange therapy (plasmapheresis). Some people need dialysis.