Update on diagnosis and treatment of pulmonary alveolar microlithiasis

Pulmonary alveolar microlithiasis (PAM) (MIM265100) is a rare disease characterized by the diffuse deposit of microlithiasis in alveolar spaces. PAM could occur worldwide with high prevalence in Asia and Europe. Familial occurrence indicates its autosomal recessive trait and the SLC34A2 gene was identified as the responsible gene for the disease. In spite of the versatile mutation sites in patients from other countries, exon 7 and exon 8 might be the most liable gene in Chinese and Japanese patients. Most mutations caused the premature termination of proteins and produced truncated proteins, leading to the blocking of the recycling and degrading of outdated surfactant which is full of phospholipids. The most outstanding clinical feature of PAM is the discrepancy between the paucity of symptoms and the degree of pulmonary involvement. Diagnosis is easy to establish based on typical chest radiograph image and nuclear medicine improves its early diagnosis and active evaluation. Pathology of the unique intra-alveolar lamellar microliths gives strong support for diagnosis. No effective treatment is considered valid currently. However, lung transplantation is effective for advanced-stage patients, and long term treatment of disodium etidronate seems promising.

SLC34A2 Gene mutation of pulmonary alveolar microlithiasis: report of four cases and review of literatures

Pulmonary alveolar microlithiasis (PAM) is a rare autosomal recessive disorder characterized by the deposition of calcium phosphate microliths throughout the lungs. Currently the mutation of SLC34A2 gene was considered responsible for PAM. Here we reported the studies on mutation analysis of the SLC34A2 gene in three familial members and one unrelated subject of PAM by DNA direct sequencing. Meanwhile, we also reviewed and analyzed the published studies of the SLC34A2 gene mutation in PAM patients. The three familial patients were siblings of an inbred family whose parents were cousins. All four patients presented recurrent cough and exertional dyspnea. Diagnosis of PAM was made according to the typical manifestation of radiology. One homozygous mutation of the SLC34A2 gene, c.910A > T (p.K304X) was identified. The review of the SLC34A2 gene mutation showed multiple mutation symbols in PAM patients from China, Turkey, and Japan respectively. The present study supports that the clinical features, pathological and radiological characteristics of Chinese PAM patients are similar to those reported in other countries. Our investigation revealed that the c.910A > T mutation in the SCL34A2 gene was responsible for PAM patients in China. The review of literatures suggests that exon7 and exon8 seemed liable to be affected typical Mongoloid of PAM, and exon8 might be the screen target for Chinese patients.

Pulmonary non-Hodgkin's lymphoma developed during long-term methotrexate therapy for rheumatoid arthritis

Methotrexate is effective in treating rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Some reports have discussed the possible association between methotrexate and lymphoma. Here, we report a case of pulmonary non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL) developed after 11 years' methotrexate therapy for RA. Biopsy of the pulmonary mass demonstrated a diffuse large B-cell lymphoma. After withdrawal of methotrexate without any other intervention for 4 weeks, a significant reduction in the size of the lymphoma was observed. The causative relationship between methotrexate and pulmonary lymphoma is suggested by the persistent remission after stopping methotrexate therapy.