Respiratory syncytial virus, a rare cause of severe pneumonia following bone marrow transplantation

Ann Hematol. 1995 Nov;71(5):253-5. doi: 10.1007/BF01744375.

Abstract

Mixed alveolar interstitial pneumonia is a much-feared complication in bone marrow transplant recipients because it carries a high mortality. Many cases in which an etiological agent is identified are due to fungi or cytomegalovirus; rarely, other infectious agents such as Pneumocystis carinii or (para)influenzavirus are involved. In this report we describe a patient who received intense chemotherapy followed by autologous bone marrow transplantation for relapse of testis seminoma and who developed a severe alveolar interstitial pneumonia caused by respiratory syncytial virus in the early posttransplant period. The patient fully recovered after treatment with ribavirin.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Bone Marrow Transplantation / adverse effects*
  • Humans
  • Lung Diseases, Interstitial / diagnostic imaging
  • Lung Diseases, Interstitial / virology
  • Male
  • Pneumonia, Viral / virology*
  • Radiography
  • Respiratory Syncytial Virus Infections* / diagnostic imaging
  • Respiratory Syncytial Virus Infections* / drug therapy
  • Respiratory Syncytial Virus, Human / isolation & purification
  • Ribavirin / therapeutic use
  • Seminoma / therapy
  • Testicular Neoplasms

Substances

  • Ribavirin