Goodpasture syndrome is an autoimmune process composed of acute glomerulonephritis in conjunction with pulmonary alveolar hemorrhage and antiglomerular basement membrane antibodies.

The incidence of Goodpasture syndrome is approximately 1:100,000. The disease is reported in all races, but occurs most frequently among Caucasians. Males are affected more than females at a ratio of 2.9:1.

The cause of Goodpasture syndrome is the production of antiglomerular basement membrane antibodies, frequently as the result of exposure to an environmental insult in genetically predisposed people. The environmental triggers include cigarette smoke, hydrocarbon inhalation, and viral infections.