Severe adenovirus bronchiolitis in children.
Severe adenoviral infections such as the necrotizing adenovirus bronchiolitis occur sporadically in infants. Ascertaining the etiologic role of adenovirus in cases of lung disease can pose a diagnostic problem. We present two cases of severe bronchiolitis in previously healthy children in which adenovirus could be shown to be the causing agent. Both children received immunosuppressive therapy with steroids and Cyclosporin for 3 mo and a course of intravenous Ribavirin for 10 d. The results were conflicting: despite therapy Patient 1 died due to respiratory failure, Patient 2 improved notably.


CONCLUSIONS
Adenovirus can cause severe bronchiolitis in previously healthy children. Diagnosis may be difficult to achieve. The role of antiviral therapy in the treatment of adenoviral infections remains to be cleared.
Pichler
M N
MN
Department of Pediatrics, Rheinische Friedrich-Wilhelms-Universität, Bonn, Germany.
Reichenbach
J
J
Schmidt
H
H
Herrmann
G
G
Zielen
S
S
D000258:Adenovirus Infections, Human / Q000188:drug therapy; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000998:Antiviral Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001990:Bronchiolitis, Viral / Q000188:drug therapy; D003524:Cyclosporins / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D008775:Methylprednisolone / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D012254:Ribavirin / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D000998:Antiviral Agents; D003524:Cyclosporins; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents; D012254:Ribavirin; D008775:Methylprednisolone