[A case of severe community acquired pneumonia and non-respiratory illness induced by Influenza A].
BACKGROUND
Severe community acquired pneumonia is a common cause of acute respiratory failure. The influenza virus itself can cause a severe pneumonia and non-respiratory illness.


METHODS
A physician developed an acute respiratory failure associated with hemolytic anemia, acute renal failure, and myocarditis. Influenza A infection was diagnosed by screening for antibodies (complement fixation, ELISA Ig A).


CONCLUSIONS
Fulminant influenza pneumonia is a rare clinical presentation of influenza infection and usually has a severe clinical course. Influenza infection is also associated with myositis, myocarditis, acute renal failure, encephalopathy, and hemolytic anemia. Rapid laboratary diagnosis can be made by PCR or immunofluorescence applied directly to respiratory specimens. Antiviral treatment did not prove its efficacy in fulminant Influenza. This case report is an opportunity to stress the importance of seroprophylaxis by parenteral vaccination in exposed occupations.
Duffau
P
P
Fédération de Maladies Infectieuses, CHU Pellegrin-Tripode, place Amélie-Raba-Léon, 33076, Bordeaux cedex, France. pierreduffau@caramail.com <pierreduffau@caramail.com>
Moiton
M-P
MP
Lafon
M-E
ME
Braun
C
C
Neau
D
D
Ragnaud
J-M
JM
D017714:Community-Acquired Infections / Q000175:diagnosis*; D006801:Humans; D007252:Influenza Vaccines; D007251:Influenza, Human / Q000150:complications* / Q000517:prevention & control; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011024:Pneumonia, Viral / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000517:prevention & control
D007252:Influenza Vaccines