The first case of H5N1 avian influenza infection in a human with complications of adult respiratory distress syndrome and Reye's syndrome.
Avian influenza virus was not known to cause systemic infection in humans before. We report a 3-year-old boy with good past health who developed pneumonia caused by H5N1 avian influenza A virus (A/Hong Kong/156/97). The virus was isolated from a tracheal aspirate. There were complications of Reye's syndrome, adult respiratory distress syndrome, and multiple organ system failure. He had a history of receiving aspirin. His adult respiratory distress syndrome did not respond to endotracheal surfactant replacement therapy. He died 6 days after admission. Clinicians should be alert to the importance of a new human influenza strain.
Ku
A S
AS
Department of Paediatrics, Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Hong Kong.
Chan
L T
LT
D002675:Child, Preschool; D017809:Fatal Outcome; D006801:Humans; D053124:Influenza A Virus, H5N1 Subtype; D009980:Influenza A virus / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D008297:Male; D009102:Multiple Organ Failure / Q000175:diagnosis*; D011024:Pneumonia, Viral / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000821:virology*; D012128:Respiratory Distress Syndrome / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy / Q000821:virology*; D012202:Reye Syndrome / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy / Q000821:virology*