title: Fatal pulmonary disease and encephalic complication in a man with HSV-1 Infection: a case report.
abstract: Herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) is associated with a large spectrum of pathologies i.e. pulmonary diseases. Although it has often been isolated from the lower respiratory tract of immunocompetent or immunosuppressed patients undergoing prolonged mechanical ventilation (MV), its causative role in serious lung infections is still unclear. Here we report the case of a 44-year-old man presenting seizures that followed an acute respiratory illness that occurred during hospitalization. The detection of HSV-1 DNA in bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL), in spinal fluid, and in blood samples, supported the evidence of a disseminated viral infection that strengthens the hypothesis of herpetic pneumonia as a possible triggering cause of neurological complications and fatal outcome. This observation draws attention to the opportunity of introducing tests for the detection of HSV-1 into the diagnostic protocols for such patients. In fact, adequate diagnostic tools would favor early diagnosis and correct therapy to HSV-1 that could reduce the possibility of either encephalic complications or the rate of mortality in critical long-term patients affected by respiratory pathologies who need assisted ventilation.
authors: O.U. Anesthesia and Intensive Care, A.O.U. "Policlinico-Vittorio Emanuele", P.O. "Gaspare Rodolico", V. S. Sofia, 78, 95123 Catania, Italy.
authors: Marinella
authors: M
authors: Astuto
authors: Clinical Virology Unit, A.O.U. "Policlinico-Vittorio Emanuele", P.O. "Gaspare Rodolico", V. S. Sofia, 78, 95123 Catania, Italy. Electronic address: ileniapalermo@libero.it.
authors: Concetta Ilenia
authors: CI
authors: Palermo
authors: Department of Bio-Medical Sciences, University of Catania, V. Androne, 81, 95123 Catania, Italy.
authors: Carmela Maria
authors: CM
authors: Costanzo
authors: O.U. Radiodiagnostic and Oncologic Radiotherapy, A.O.U. "Policlinico-Vittorio Emanuele", P.O. "Gaspare Rodolico", V. S. Sofia, 78, 95123 Catania, Italy.
authors: Giovanni Carlo
authors: GC
authors: Ettorre
authors: O.U. Radiodiagnostic and Oncologic Radiotherapy, A.O.U. "Policlinico-Vittorio Emanuele", P.O. "Gaspare Rodolico", V. S. Sofia, 78, 95123 Catania, Italy.
authors: Stefano
authors: S
authors: Palmucci
authors: Department of Bio-Medical Sciences, University of Catania, V. Androne, 81, 95123 Catania, Italy; Clinical Virology Unit, A.O.U. "Policlinico-Vittorio Emanuele", P.O. "Gaspare Rodolico", V. S. Sofia, 78, 95123 Catania, Italy.
authors: Concetta
authors: C
authors: Franchina
authors: Department of Bio-Medical Sciences, University of Catania, V. Androne, 81, 95123 Catania, Italy; Department "G.F. Ingrassia", University of Catania, V. S.Sofia, 87, 95123 Catania, Italy.
authors: Raffaela
authors: R
authors: Russo
authors: O.U. Anesthesia and Intensive Care, A.O.U. "Policlinico-Vittorio Emanuele", P.O. "Gaspare Rodolico", V. S. Sofia, 78, 95123 Catania, Italy.
authors: Pietro
authors: P
authors: Valastro
authors: O.U. Anesthesia and Intensive Care, A.O.U. "Policlinico-Vittorio Emanuele", P.O. "Gaspare Rodolico", V. S. Sofia, 78, 95123 Catania, Italy.
authors: Valentina
authors: V
authors: Timpanaro
authors: Department of Bio-Medical Sciences, University of Catania, V. Androne, 81, 95123 Catania, Italy; Clinical Virology Unit, A.O.U. "Policlinico-Vittorio Emanuele", P.O. "Gaspare Rodolico", V. S. Sofia, 78, 95123 Catania, Italy.
authors: Guido
authors: G
authors: Scalia
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001769:Blood / Q000821:virology; D001992:Bronchoalveolar Lavage Fluid / Q000821:virology; D002555:Cerebrospinal Fluid / Q000821:virology; D004279:DNA, Viral / Q000302:isolation & purification; D020803:Encephalitis, Herpes Simplex / Q000150:complications* / Q000821:virology*; D017809:Fatal Outcome; D018259:Herpesvirus 1, Human / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D006801:Humans; D016867:Immunocompromised Host; D008297:Male; D011024:Pneumonia, Viral / Q000150:complications* / Q000821:virology*
chemical_list: D004279:DNA, Viral
keywords: Disseminated disease; Encephalic complications; Herpes simplex virus type 1; Severe respiratory disease; Viral encephalitis