Sudden death in a toddler with laryngotracheitis caused by human parainfluenza virus-1.
Laryngotracheitis caused by human parainfluenza virus (HPIV) and not complicated by bacterial superinfection rarely causes sudden unexpected death in infants and toddlers, especially in the absence of stridor and a barking cough. We therefore describe a 15-month-old white male who died suddenly and unexpectedly with clinical and pathological features of laryngotracheitis caused by culture-proven HPIV-1 infection. Given the presence of mucosal inflammation extending into the vocalis muscle of the larynx without associated significant narrowing of the laryngotracheal airway lumen, we propose his death was a result of a laryngospasm, perhaps mediated by immune responses.
Lucas
Jonathan R
JR
Office of the Medical Examiner, San Diego, CA, USA.
Haas
Elisabeth A
EA
Masoumi
Homeyra
H
Krous
Henry F
HF
D003645:Death, Sudden; D017809:Fatal Outcome; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007826:Laryngismus / Q000473:pathology / Q000821:virology; D007827:Laryngitis / Q000821:virology*; D008297:Male; D010222:Parainfluenza Virus 1, Human / Q000302:isolation & purification* / Q000502:physiology; D020545:Respiratory Mucosa / Q000473:pathology / Q000821:virology; D010253:Respirovirus Infections / Q000473:pathology / Q000821:virology*; D014136:Tracheitis / Q000821:virology*