Acute fibrinous and organizing pneumonia: A case report and literature review
Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 8, 2026
Murine Oropharyngeal Aspiration Model of Ventilator-associated and Hospital-acquired Bacterial Pneumonia
Published on: June 28, 2018
Xiao-Yong Xu1, Fei Chen1, Chen Chen1
1Department of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Nanjing General Hospital of Nanjing Military Command, People's Liberation Army, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210002, P.R. China.
Abstract:
Acute fibrinous and organizing pneumonia (AFOP) is a rare lung disease with distinct histological characteristics that include the diffuse presence of intra-alveolar fibrin, and the absence of eosinophils and hyaline membrane. In the present study, a case of AFOP that was diagnosed by lung biopsy is described. The patient presented with high fever and a cough with expectoration. Computed tomography of the lung showed the presence of bilateral patchy infiltrates, predominantly in the lower lobes. Histopathological examination of lung biopsy from the lower pulmonary lobe confirmed the pathological diagnosis. The patient showed a poor response to treatment with prednisone. Based on a review of literature pertaining to documented AFOP cases, a summary of the clinical features, radiological characteristics, treatment outcomes and prognoses associated with AFOP are presented. The most common pulmonary symptoms included cough, dyspnea and fever. The primary imaging findings in AFOP were consolidation and ground-glass opacity in the bilateral lung.
Insights
Acute fibrinous and organizing pneumonia (AFOP) is a rare lung disease. This case study details AFOP diagnosis via lung biopsy, highlighting poor treatment response and summarizing key clinical and radiological features.
Area of Science:
- Pulmonology
- Pathology
- Radiology
Background:
- Acute fibrinous and organizing pneumonia (AFOP) is a rare interstitial lung disease.
- Histologically characterized by intra-alveolar fibrin and absence of eosinophils/hyaline membranes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To describe a case of AFOP diagnosed via lung biopsy.
- To review and summarize the clinical, radiological, and prognostic features of AFOP.
Main Methods:
- Case report of a patient with AFOP.
- Diagnosis confirmed by histopathological examination of lung biopsy.
- Literature review of documented AFOP cases.
Main Results:
- The patient presented with fever, cough, and bilateral lung infiltrates on CT.
- Histopathology confirmed AFOP.
- The patient showed a poor response to prednisone treatment.
- Common symptoms include cough, dyspnea, and fever; imaging shows bilateral consolidation and ground-glass opacities.
Conclusions:
- AFOP diagnosis requires characteristic histological findings.
- Clinical presentation and imaging findings can suggest AFOP.
- Treatment outcomes for AFOP can be variable, with potential for poor response to corticosteroids.
Related Concept Videos
01:30Pneumonia I: Introduction
Risk Factors
Various factors influence the likelihood of developing pneumonia. Age plays a crucial role, with infants, children under two, and individuals over 65 at increased risk due to their...
01:29Pneumonia II: Pathophysiology
01:30Pneumonia III: Complications and Assessment
01:30Pneumonia V: Nursing management and Prevention
The nurse must practice strict medical asepsis and adhere to infection control guidelines to minimize healthcare-associated infections.
Enhance airway patency
Position the patient correctly to facilitate drainage of the affected lung segments. Manual or mechanical percussion and vibration can also be employed.
01:14Atypical Pneumonia
01:29Pneumonia I: Introduction