Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jul 18, 2026

Visualization of Pseudomonas aeruginosa within the Sputum of Cystic Fibrosis Patients
07:25

Visualization of Pseudomonas aeruginosa within the Sputum of Cystic Fibrosis Patients

Published on: July 16, 2020

Disseminated herpes simplex infection with cystic fibrosis: a case report

Richa Goyal1, Ritambhra Nada, Ashim Das

  • 1Department of Pathology, PGIMER, Chandigarh.

Indian Journal of Pathology & Microbiology
|December 23, 2006
PubMed

Insights

A rare case of cystic fibrosis and disseminated herpes simplex infection in an infant highlights diagnostic challenges. This fatal co-infection underscores the need for comprehensive evaluation in infants with recurrent respiratory issues.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Pathology
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Genetic Disorders

Background:

  • Cystic Fibrosis (CF) is a genetic disorder affecting multiple organs, primarily the lungs.
  • Herpes Simplex Virus (HSV) infection can cause severe illness in infants, particularly those who are immunocompromised.
  • Recurrent pneumonia in infants warrants thorough investigation for underlying conditions.

Observation:

  • A 6-month-old infant presented with fever, cough, and severe respiratory distress, with a history of recurrent pneumonia.
  • Despite medical intervention, the infant's condition deteriorated, leading to death within 7 days of hospitalization.
  • Postmortem examination revealed characteristic features of cystic fibrosis.

Findings:

  • The autopsy identified disseminated herpes simplex infection affecting the liver and adrenal glands.
  • This case documents the extremely rare co-existence of cystic fibrosis and disseminated herpes simplex infection.
  • The combined pathology likely contributed to the infant's rapid decline and fatal outcome.

Implications:

  • This case highlights the diagnostic complexity when rare co-infections occur in infants with known genetic disorders.
  • It emphasizes the importance of considering opportunistic infections in infants diagnosed with cystic fibrosis.
  • Further research may be needed to understand the interaction between cystic fibrosis and viral infections like HSV.

Related Concept Videos

Cystic Fibrosis: Pathogenesis01:23

Cystic Fibrosis: Pathogenesis

Cystic fibrosis (CF), an autosomal recessive disorder, significantly affects the function of exocrine glands. This genetically inherited disease is characterized by the production of thick and sticky mucus, which can severely affect various organs and systems in the body.
CF is primarily caused by a genetic mutation in a chromosome 7 gene coding for the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) protein. The most common gene mutation leading to CF is the ΔF508 mutation, but...
Cytomegalovirus Disease01:27

Cytomegalovirus Disease

Cytomegalovirus (CMV) disease is caused by human cytomegalovirus, a double-stranded DNA virus of the Herpesviridae family. While primary CMV infection is often asymptomatic in immunocompetent individuals, the virus can cause severe disease in neonates and immunocompromised patients. CMV is the most common cause of congenital viral infection in the United States, and a major pathogen in solid organ and hematopoietic stem cell transplant recipients.CMV is transmitted via bodily fluids, sexual...
Genital Herpes01:23

Genital Herpes

Genital herpes is a sexually transmitted infection primarily caused by herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2), though herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) is increasingly implicated in genital infections, particularly among younger populations. Transmission occurs mainly through sexual contact, with asymptomatic viral shedding serving as a major route of spread. This characteristic makes HSV-2 difficult to control at a population level, as individuals may unknowingly transmit the virus even in the...
Herpes01:28

Herpes

Herpes simplex type 1 (HSV‑1) is a widespread pathogen responsible for orolabial lesions. It is an enveloped, double-stranded DNA (dsDNA) virus belonging to the family Herpesviridae. Once the virus infects a host cell, its double‑stranded DNA genome is delivered into the nucleus, where a coordinated cascade of immediate‑early, early, and late gene expression directs viral DNA replication, structural protein synthesis, and virion assembly. After primary infection of epithelial cells, HSV-1...
Cryptococcal Meningitis01:27

Cryptococcal Meningitis

Cryptococcal meningitis is a life-threatening opportunistic infection predominantly associated with HIV/AIDS, accounting for over 100,000 deaths annually worldwide. However, it also affects individuals with other forms of immunosuppression, including those undergoing immunosuppressive therapy, organ transplant recipients, patients with innate immunodeficiencies, and individuals with hematological disorders. The infection is caused mainly by Cryptococcus neoformans and Cryptococcus gattii,...
Cystic Fibrosis: Management01:24

Cystic Fibrosis: Management

Cystic fibrosis (CF) is an autosomal recessive disorder that predominantly affects individuals of Northern European descent, occurring at a rate of 1 in 3500. It is caused by a genetic mutation in a gene on chromosome 7, most commonly the ΔF508 mutation, that codes for the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) protein. This results in thicker mucus secretions and obstruction pathologies in multiple organs, including the lungs and sinuses.
Sinus disease and chronic sinusitis...