Diffuse panbronchiolitis is an inflammatory disease affecting the respiratory bronchioles.
It causes progressive suppurative and obstructive respiratory disease.
This is an idiopathic disease which is primarily found in Japan, Korea and China.
Predisposition to the disease may be genetically-related but environmental factors should also be considered.
Failure to treat diffuse panbronchiolitis can lead to development of bronchiectasis, progressive failure and death.