A series of five adult cases of respiratory syncytial virus-related acute respiratory distress syndrome.
Respiratory syncytial virus is a common cause of respiratory tract disease in children, predominantly presenting with mild symptoms. We present five cases of respiratory syncytial virus infection of the lower respiratory tract in immunocompromised adults suffering from severe respiratory insufficiency leading to bilateral pneumonia and fulfilling the criteria for acute respiratory distress syndrome. Respiratory syncytial virus was cultured as the only pathogen in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid in four of these patients. Despite various therapeutic interventions, only one patient survived. Respiratory syncytial virus was implicated as a direct cause of respiratory failure. Respiratory syncytial virus may be an underestimated cause of severe respiratory failure and acute respiratory distress syndrome in the immunocompromised adult admitted to the intensive care unit.
Robert
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Department of Critical Care Medicine, University Hospital of Antwerp, University of Antwerp, Edegem, Belgium.
Verbiest
D
D
Demey
H
H
Ieven
M
M
Jansens
H
H
Jorens
P G
PG
D000368:Aged; D001992:Bronchoalveolar Lavage Fluid / Q000382:microbiology; D002277:Carcinoma / Q000150:complications; D003110:Colonic Neoplasms / Q000150:complications; D003422:Critical Care; D017809:Fatal Outcome; D005260:Female; D014890:Granulomatosis with Polyangiitis / Q000150:complications; D006801:Humans; D007676:Kidney Failure, Chronic / Q000150:complications; D018442:Lymphoma, B-Cell, Marginal Zone / Q000150:complications; D008228:Lymphoma, Non-Hodgkin / Q000150:complications; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012128:Respiratory Distress Syndrome / Q000209:etiology*; D018357:Respiratory Syncytial Virus Infections / Q000150:complications*; D012772:Shock, Septic / Q000209:etiology; D013120:Spinal Cord Neoplasms / Q000150:complications