Diffuse panbronchiolitis in North America. Report of three cases and review of the literature

Abstract

Diffuse panbronchiolitis is a disease largely restricted geographically to Japan. It is manifested clinically by an insidious onset of dyspnea, cough, and production of mucopurulent sputum. Histologically it is characterized by a suppurative bronchiolitis involving primarily the respiratory and terminal bronchioles with subsequent progression to bronchiolectasis. Pulmonary function tests show a mixed obstructive-restrictive pattern. This report presents two cases occurring in white patients and one in an Oriental immigrant to Canada.