[Clinical analysis of bronchopulmonary infection with hypermastigotes: a report of two cases and review of the Chinese literature].
OBJECTIVE
To describe the clinical features of bronchopulmonary infection with hypermastigotes.


METHODS
Two cases of bronchopulmonary infection with hypermastigotes were reported. The clinical features of another six cases from the Chinese literature were reviewed.


RESULTS
Bronchopulmonary infection with hypermastigotes mostly occurs in the hot and humid southern area. The symptoms are severe, with different manifestations such as chronic cough, asthma, pneumonia, and even lung abscess. Final diagnosis is made by the presence of hypermastigotes in smears of secretions from the respiratory tract. An antiprotozoal such as metronidazole is always effective.


CONCLUSIONS
In patients with unexplained cough, asthma, and pneumonia or lung abscess which do not respond to ordinary therapy, rare pathogens such as hypermastigotes need to be considered.
Zhou
Yi-ping
YP
Department of Respiratory Medicine, Shenzhen Fourth People's Hospital Affiliated to Guangdong Medical College, Shenzhen 518033, China.
Zhu
Xin-jian
XJ
Li
Ming
M
Liu
Hui
H
Chen
Ya-shuo
YS
D001996:Bronchopneumonia / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000469:parasitology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D056952:Hypermastigia / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011528:Protozoan Infections / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000469:parasitology