Alpha1 -Antitrypsin Deficiency-A Literature Review and a Case Report of a Patient with Chronic Obstructive Airways Disease and Cirrhosis

Summary: Alpha,-antitrypsin deficiency—a literature review and a case report of a patient with chronic obstructive airways disease and cirrhosis. G. P. Coughlin, A. G. van Deth, G. T. Ey and A. Kerr Grant, Aust. N.Z. J. Med., 1977, 7, pp. 400–403. A patient who manifested both pulmonary and hepatic disease associated with alpha 1-antitrypsin deficiency is described. The biological function of alpha, -antitrypsin is discussed, as well as the inheritance of deficiency states and the spectrum of disorders which may ensue. Severe deficiency of alpha1 -antitrypsin has been linked with pulmonary emphysema in adult life, progressive liver disease in childhood, adult cirrhosis but rarely with both pulmonary and liver disease.