Autoimmune pulmonary alveolar proteinosis with a history of vaping and vitamin E-positive bronchoalveolar lavage

Abstract

Pulmonary alveolar proteinosis (PAP) can be due to primary autoimmune and secondary causes, including e-cigarette, or vaping, product use-associated lung injury. We present a 33-year-old male presenting with PAP and a history of vaping. Serum anti-granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor antibodies were present. Vitamin E (VE), but not VE acetate, was detected in bronchoalveolar lavage. This is the first report of potential association between vaping and autoimmune PAP.

Keywords: autoimmune; pulmonary alveolar proteinosis; vaping; vitamin E; vitamin E acetate.