acyclovir and Respiratory-Sounds

Herpes simplex virus (HSV) infection in the neonatal period may be confined to the eyes, skin and upper aerodigestive tract or may be widely disseminated to other organs, with particular recognition of involvement of the central nervous system (CNS) causing herpes encephalitis (Whitley et al., 1980a, b; Andersen, 1987). Primary laryngeal HSV infection is extremely uncommon. We present a case of acute neonatal stridor secondary to such localized disease and discuss its management.

Topics: Acyclovir; Antiviral Agents; Epiglottis; Herpesviridae Infections; Herpesvirus 2, Human; Humans; Infant, Newborn; Laryngeal Diseases; Male; Respiratory Sounds; Vocal Cords

Herpes simplex virus (HSV) is rarely the cause of pneumonia in immunocompetent patients. We describe a previously healthy child, with no evidence of an immunodeficiency, who presented to the emergency department with severe pneumonia, wheezing, and pleural effusions with a history of orolabial HSV infection. On admission, he was started on antibiotics and systemic corticosteroids but continued to deteriorate. Oral lesions, blood, and pleural fluid tested positive for HSV, and improvement was achieved only after the addition of acyclovir and discontinuation of steroids. We suggest that steroids should be used with caution in patients presenting with lower respiratory tract symptoms and herpetic oral lesions.

Topics: Acyclovir; Adrenal Cortex Hormones; Antiviral Agents; Child; Herpes Simplex; Humans; Male; Pneumonia, Viral; Respiratory Sounds; Simplexvirus

Topics: Acyclovir; Adrenal Cortex Hormones; Aged, 80 and over; Antiviral Agents; Herpes Simplex; Humans; Male; Respiratory Sounds; Simplexvirus; Ulcer; Vagus Nerve Diseases; Virus Activation; Vocal Cord Paralysis

Polymorphic lymphoproliferative disorder is a recognised cause of upper airway obstruction in children [N. Sculerati, M. Arriga, Ann. Otol. Rhinol. Laryngol 99 (1990) 445-450]. It is associated with long-term immunosuppression therapy and frequently with Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infection [D.W. Hanto, Annu. Rev. Med. 46 (1995) 381-394; B.D. Fletcher, H.E. Heslop, H.C. Kaste, S. Bodner, Upper airway obstruction and pulmonary abnormalities due to lymphoproliferative disease following bone marrow transplantation in children, Pediatr. Radiol. 28 (1998) 492-496]. The prevalence in reported series ranges from 4 to 13% among post-transplant children [M. Ho, R. Jaffe, G. Miller, Transplantation 45 (1988) 719-727; G.B. Hammer, S. Cao, M.G. Boltz, A. Messner, Anesthesiology 89 (1998) 263-265; B.V. Lattyak, P. Rosenthal, Post-transplant lymphoproliferative disorder presenting in the head and neck, Laryngoscope 108 (1998) 1195-1198]. This condition may present in the transplanted allograft, the gastrointestinal tract, the head and neck, and in particular in the upper airway. Previously reported cases of upper airway obstruction have been in the supraglottis, Waldeyer's ring, the glottis, and one case of an intra tracheal mass [M. Ho, R. Jaffe, G. Miller, Transplantation 45 (1988) 719-727; G.B. Hammer, S. Cao, M.G. Boltz, A. Messner, Anesthesiology 89 (1998) 263-265]. We report a case of post-transplant lymphoproliferative disorder in the sub-glottis causing acute upper airway obstruction with negative (EBV) serology.

Topics: Acyclovir; Airway Obstruction; Child; Humans; Infectious Mononucleosis; Laryngoscopy; Liver Transplantation; Lymphoproliferative Disorders; Male; Prognosis; Respiratory Sounds; Steroids; Tracheostomy; Transplantation Immunology; Treatment Outcome