Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis

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Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a refractory and lethal interstitial lung disease characterized by alveolar epithelial cells apoptosis, fibroblast proliferation, and ECM protein deposition. Pulmonary fibrosis is a chronic disease that causes swelling and scarring of the alveoli (air sacs) and interstitial tissues (tissue between cells) of the lungs. Bacteria and other micro-organisms are not routinely found in the lungs of patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis. On the other hand, the condition does sometimes appear to follow a viral-like illness particularly Epstein-Barr virus infection. The 6A(4) allele of the SPA1 gene has been associated with an increased susceptibility to idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis in nonsmokers but not in smokers.

quiz

1

{Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is characterized by _________.

	alveolar epithelial cells apoptosis, fibroblast proliferation, and ECM protein deposition
	swelling and scarring of the alveoli and interstitial tissues
	presence of bacteria and other micro-organisms
	viral-like illness

2

Which virus is sometimes associated with the onset of IPF?

	Influenza virus
	Epstein-Barr virus
	Rhinovirus
	Coronavirus

3

The 6A(4) allele of the SPA1 gene is associated with increased susceptibility to IPF in _________.

	both smokers and nonsmokers
	nonsmokers but not in smokers
	only smokers
	neither smokers nor nonsmokers