Fatal pulmonary co-infection with pneumocystis and cytomegalovirus in a patient with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome

Intern Med. 2014;53(14):1575-8. doi: 10.2169/internalmedicine.53.2171. Epub 2014 Jul 15.

Abstract

A 33-year-old homosexual Japanese man who admitted to having sex with men presented with a two-week history of dyspnea and fever. Chest imaging showed diffuse pulmonary frosted-glass-like shadows. A blood test revealed positive HIV antibodies with a CD4 cell count of 66/μL. Bronchoalveolar lavage identified pneumocystis. Although the patient exhibited a transient response to anti-pneumocystis treatment and mega-dose steroid pulse therapy, he eventually died from respiratory failure. An autopsy suggested massive cytomegalovirus and pneumocystis pneumonitis. The pulmonary co-infection with cytomegalovirus may have been worsened by the use of mega-dose steroids, and such therapy should be avoided in patients with a high HIV viral load and low CD4 count.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome / diagnosis*
  • Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome / virology
  • Adult
  • Antibodies, Fungal / analysis
  • Antibodies, Viral / analysis
  • Coinfection*
  • Cytomegalovirus / immunology
  • Cytomegalovirus Infections / diagnosis*
  • Cytomegalovirus Infections / virology
  • Diagnosis, Differential
  • Fatal Outcome
  • HIV*
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Pneumocystis / immunology
  • Pneumonia, Pneumocystis / diagnosis*
  • Pneumonia, Pneumocystis / microbiology
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed

Substances

  • Antibodies, Fungal
  • Antibodies, Viral