An unusual exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) with herpes simplex tracheitis: case report.
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a common cause of morbidity in the UK and is increasingly seen in elderly patients, often requiring multiple courses of steroids. We present a case of a 72 year old lady with repeated exacerbations of COPD which did not respond to conventional treatment. Herpes simplex virus (HSV1) tracheobronchitis was diagnosed following a rigid bronchoscopy and her symptoms improved with intravenous acyclovir. This is the first published case of HSV tracheitis in a non immunosuppressed individual with chronic lung disease.
Boland
Alison C
AC
Department of respiratory medicine, St James's university hospital, Leeds, UK. alison.boland@doctors.net.uk.
Iveson
Elizabeth H
EH
Elliott
Mark W
MW