A case of avian influenza (H5N1) pulmonary infection with early expansion of lung bulla formations

A 22 year old previously healthy male subject was admitted to hospital in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, with fever and severe pneumonia. On interviewing the patient a recent close contact with poultry was revealed and a RT-PCR test for H5 and N1 influenza antigen was found positive following nose and throat swabs. Partial recovery was highlighted by the development of extensive bulla formations in the left lung. We herein report clinical and radiological features in a 22 year old male Vietnamese patient who developed severe acute pneumonia and in whose RT-PCR test for H5 and N1 influenza antigen was found positive following nose and throat swabs. Partial recovery was highlighted by the development of extensive bulla formations in the left lung. © 2005 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved