Goodpasture syndrome is an autoimmune disease where antibodies damage certain tissues in the lungs and kidneys. If untreated, the patient usually dies from bleeding in the lungs and kidney failure. It's cause is poorly understood, but it appears to be set off by severe irritation of the lungs or kidneys such as viral infections and kidney surgery. The condition can easily result in permanent damage to the lungs and kidneys and even death. Once diagnosed, treatment is with steroids and plasmapheresis.