Herpes simplex viral pneumonia in the postthoracotomy patient.
Over a 6-month period, 6 of 54 postthoracotomy patients developed pneumonia and respiratory failure. Pneumonia was secondary to herpes simplex virus type 1 in 3 of the 6 patients. Diagnostic efforts including bronchoscopy with bronchial washing, viral cultures, and cytologic examination permitted early diagnosis and successful treatment with acyclovir. A high index of suspicion for herpes simplex pneumonia must be maintained in critically ill patients with undiagnosed pneumonia.
Camazine
B
B
Department of Thoracic Surgery and Oncology, Roswell Park Cancer Institute, Buffalo, NY 14263, USA.
Antkowiak
J G
JG
Nava
M E
ME
Lipman
B J
BJ
Takita
H
H
D000212:Acyclovir / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D006561:Herpes Simplex / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology*; D018259:Herpesvirus 1, Human / Q000302:isolation & purification; D006801:Humans; D008168:Lung / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000821:virology; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011024:Pneumonia, Viral / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology*; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000821:virology*; D011859:Radiography; D013899:Thoracic Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery; D013908:Thoracotomy
D000212:Acyclovir