Bronchiectasis and homozygous (P1ZZ) alpha 1-antitrypsin deficiency in a young man

Pulmonary complications of alpha 1-antitrypsin deficiency are most commonly manifested by panlobular emphysema. This report describes histologically proven bronchiectasis in a 21 year old man with massive haemoptysis and homozygous deficiency of alpha 1-antitrypsin. Neither panlobular emphysema nor cirrhosis of the liver were present. Bronchiectasis must be considered part of the spectrum of the pulmonary pathology that may be encountered in individuals with alpha 1-antitrypsin deficiency.