Lymphocytic interstitial pneumonia

Overview
Lymphocytic interstitial pneumonia (also called lymphocytic interstitial pneumonitis or LIP) is a syndrome secondary to autoimmune and other lymphoproliferative disorders. Symptoms include fever, cough, and shortness of breath. Lymphocytic interstitial pneumonia applies to a disorders associated with both, monoclonal or polyclonal gammopathy.

Causes
Possible causes of lymphocytic interstitial pneumonia include Drugs like
 * Epstein-Barr virus,
 * Human Immunodeficiency Virus
 * Captopril
 * Phenytoin

Symptoms

 * Dyspnea
 * Pyrexia
 * Wheezing

HEENT

 * Enlarged salivary gland
 * Lymphadenopathy

Abdomen

 * Hepatomegaly
 * Splenomegaly

Extremities
Clubbing

Laboratory Studies

 * Arterial blood gases may reveal hypoxemia.
 * Respiratory alkalosis may also be present.
 * Peripheral lymphocytosis can be observed.

Biopsy
A lung biopsy may also be indicated.

Treatment
Patients presenting with no symptoms, and not affected by the syndrome may not require treatment. However, antibiotics are usually required for bacterial pulmonary infections. Bronchodilators may assist with breathing issues and resolution may occur with the use of Highly Active Anti-Retroviral Therapy. However, responses to different treatments are widely varied, and no single first line treatment represents the default treatment for lymphocytic interstitial pneumonia.