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Goodpasture Syndrome ˈgu̇d-ˌpas-chərz-

(Goodpasture Disease)

by Marvin I. Schwarz, MD


  • People usually have difficulty breathing and cough up blood.



Goodpasture syndrome is a particular autoimmune disorder that typically causes kidney damage and diffuse alveolar hemorrhage (the pulmonary-renal syndrome). Occasionally Goodpasture syndrome affects only the kidneys or the lungs, but not both.



A person with Goodpasture syndrome typically develops shortness of breath and coughs up blood. People may develop fever, lose weight without planning to, or develop anemia due to blood loss, resulting in fatigue.



Chest x-rays show abnormal white patches (due to lung bleeding) in both lungs. If the presence of lung bleeding is not clear based on symptoms and x-ray results (for example, if the person has not coughed up blood), doctors may need to insert a flexible viewing tube into the lungs (bronchoscopy) and wash out the lungs with fluid (bronchoalveolar lavage). Urine testing reveals blood and protein. Blood testing often shows anemia. Laboratory tests reveal the characteristic antibodies in the blood. Doctors usually remove a small piece of kidney tissue (biopsy) for analysis. The specimen shows microscopic deposits of antibodies in a specific pattern.




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