Characterization of cytomegalovirus lung infection in non-HIV infected children

Cytomegalovirus (CMV) is a prevalent pathogen in the immunocompromised host and invasive pneumonia is a feared complication of the virus in this population. In this pediatric case series we characterized CMV lung infection in 15 non-HIV infected children (median age 3 years; IQR 0.2–4.9 years), using current molecular and imaging diagnostic modalities, in combination with respiratory signs and symptoms. The most prominent clinical and laboratory findings included cough (100%), hypoxemia (100%), diffuse adventitious breath sounds (100%) and increased respiratory effort (93%). All patients had abnormal lung images characterized by ground glass opacity/consolidation in 80% of cases. CMV was detected in the lung either by CMV PCR in bronchoalveolar lavage (82% detection rate) or histology/immunohistochemistry in lung biopsy (100% detection rate). CMV caused respiratory failure in 47% of children infected and the overall mortality rate was 13.3%. Conclusion: CMV pneumonia is a potential lethal disease in non-HIV infected children that requires a high-index of suspicion. Common clinical and radiological patterns such as hypoxemia, diffuse adventitious lung sounds and ground-glass pulmonary opacities may allow early identification of CMV lung infection in the pediatric population, which may lead to prompt initiation of antiviral therapy and better clinical outcomes

Aspergilosis pulmonar invasiva: reporte de un caso

The fungus Aspergillus spp. causes infections in immunocompromised hosts and produces a variety of clinical syndromes including lung tracheobronchial, chronic necrotizing pulmonary and allergic bronchopulmonary manifestations, as well as aspergilloma, depending on the type of host-fungus relationship involved. Aspergilloma is usually colonized by Aspergillus spp. lesions in the bronchial tree, while invasive forms are characterized by the presence of hyphae below its basement membrane. The objective of the present study was to describe the case of a pediatric patient with invasive pulmonary aspergillosis in the form of pseudomembranous tracheobronchitis, including the clinical course, diagnostic approach and paraclinical care provided.The patient was a 5-year-old female with a history of Fanconi anemia who presented with febrile neutropenia and pneumonia. Antibiotic treatment with cefepime provided no improvement in the patient’s condition and computed tomography of the thorax revealed bibasilar pulmonary opacities. Bronchoalveolar lavage and a lesion biopsy were performed after diagnostic bronchoscopy showed a white exophytic lesion. Since pathologic examination revealed numerous septate fungal hyphae exhibiting 45° branching compatible with Aspergillus spp., the patient was treated with voriconazole. Bronchoalveolar lavage culture produced fungi of the Aspergillus flavi complex. A review of pulmonary Aspergillus spp. infection in children is also included, with emphasis on the management and treatment of clinical syndromes. In pediatric patients with hematological diseases who present with febrile neutropenia and respiratory symptoms, it is essential to consider fungi as potential etiologic agents including Aspergillus spp., which is common and causes a variety of clinical syndromes. El hongo Aspergillus spp. causa infecciones oportunistas en huéspedes inmunocomprometidos. Cursa con una variedad de síndromes clínicos en el pulmón, que incluyen aspergilosis invasiva, aspergilosis pulmonar necrótica crónica, aspergilosis broncopulmonar alérgica y aspergiloma, cuya manifestación depende del tipo de relación con el huésped. El aspergiloma resulta de lesiones colonizadas por Aspergillus spp. en el árbol bronquial, en tanto que las formas invasivas se caracterizan por la presencia de hifas por debajo de la membrana basal del árbol bronquial.El objetivo de este trabajo es describir el caso de una paciente con aspergilosis pulmonar invasiva en su forma de traqueobronquitis seudomembranosa, considerando el curso clínico, el diagnóstico y el manejo paraclínico.Se trató de una paciente de cinco años de edad con antecedentes de anemia de Fanconi, que fue llevada a consulta con neutropenia febril y neumonía. Se inició el tratamiento antibiótico con cefepime, sin mejoría clínica.La tomografía computadorizada (TC) de tórax reveló opacidades parenquimatosas en ambas bases pulmonares. En una fibrobroncoscopia se encontró una lesión exofítica blanquecina en el bronquio principal derecho, que se sometió a biopsia, y se practicó un lavado broncoalveolar. En el examen de histopatología se hallaron hifas tabicadas a 45°, y el resultado del cultivo reveló la presencia del complejo Aspergillus flavi, por lo que se inició la administración de voriconazol. Se revisaron los reportes en la literatura científica sobre la infección pulmonar por Aspergillus spp. en niños, con énfasis en los síndromes clínicos, y en su manejo y tratamiento.Ante la presencia de síntomas respiratorios en pacientes pediátricos con enfermedades hematológicas que cursen con neutropenia febril, es indispensable considerar como agentes etiológicos los hongos, entre los cuales Aspergillus spp. se presenta frecuentemente causando diferentes síndromes clínicos