acyclovir and Thoracic-Neoplasms

Over a 6-month period, 6 of 54 postthoracotomy patients developed pneumonia and respiratory failure. Pneumonia was secondary to herpes simplex virus type 1 in 3 of the 6 patients. Diagnostic efforts including bronchoscopy with bronchial washing, viral cultures, and cytologic examination permitted early diagnosis and successful treatment with acyclovir. A high index of suspicion for herpes simplex pneumonia must be maintained in critically ill patients with undiagnosed pneumonia.

Topics: Acyclovir; Aged; Female; Herpes Simplex; Herpesvirus 1, Human; Humans; Lung; Lung Neoplasms; Male; Middle Aged; Pneumonia, Viral; Postoperative Complications; Radiography; Thoracic Neoplasms; Thoracotomy