Bronchiectasis and homozygous alpha1-antitrypsin deficiency.

A 34-year-old woman with homozygous a1-antitrypsin deficiency suffered from progressive, generalized cystic bronchiectasis. Although bronchiectasis was reported in the original monograph on the enzyme inhibitor deficiency, it has received minimal attention since then. Alpha1-antitrypsin levels should be measured in patients with severe bronchiectasis.