title: Post-influenza aspergillosis, do not underestimate influenza B.
abstract: Our objective is to highlight and focus on post-influenza aspergillosis, triggered by influenza B virus. This relatively new clinical entity is often associated with a fulminant course of respiratory decline and high mortality. A 51-year immunocompetent woman, without any medical history or risk factors for developing a complicated influenza infection, was admitted to the intensive care unit. During admission, she presented with an afebrile flu-like syndrome, myocarditis, rhabdomyolysis, multiple organ failure, and evolved to severe respiratory distress. The broncho-alveolar lavage contained influenza B RNA, and the culture revealedAspergillus fumigatus. Despite maximal organ support, immunoglobulin, antiviral and antifungal therapy, the patient died. This case demonstrates that influenza B virus may be life threatening even to immunocompetent adults and may trigger an invasiveAspergillussuperinfection.
authors.affiliation: Laboratory Medicine, Medical Microbiology.
authors.forename: Eric Fl
authors.initials: EF
authors.lastname: Nulens
authors.affiliation: Department of Intensive Care, Algemeen Ziekenhuis Sint-Jan Brugge-Oostende AV, Brugge, Belgium.
authors.forename: Marc Jc
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Bourgeois
authors.affiliation: Laboratory Medicine, Medical Microbiology.
authors.forename: Marijke Bml
authors.initials: MB
authors.lastname: Reynders
keywords: ARDS; antiviral therapy; influenza B; invasive pulmonary aspergillosis; post-influenza aspergillosis; rhabdomyolysis