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Parainfluenza Bronchiolitis Mimicking Recurrent Lobar Pneumonia
Keshav Bhattar1, Trupti Pandit2, Ramesh Pandit3,4
1Internal Medicine, Dr SN Medical College, Jodhpur, IND.
Cureus
|August 16, 2022
Summary
Human parainfluenza viruses (HPIVs) cause severe respiratory illness, particularly in vulnerable populations. This case highlights HPIV-induced bronchitis leading to critical respiratory failure in an elderly patient.
Area of Science:
- Medical Microbiology
- Virology
- Pulmonology
Background:
- Human parainfluenza viruses (HPIVs) are a significant cause of respiratory illness in children, leading to hospitalizations.
- While typically causing mild illness in immunocompetent adults, HPIVs can cause severe disease in the elderly and immunocompromised.
Observation:
- A 73-year-old female presented with recurrent respiratory distress and acute hypoxemic respiratory failure.
- Initial treatment for bacterial pneumonia was unsuccessful.
Findings:
- The patient was diagnosed with severe parainfluenza virus bronchitis.
- This severe bronchitis caused mucus plug obstruction and subsequent lobar lung collapse.
Implications:
- This case underscores the potential for HPIVs to cause severe, life-threatening respiratory complications in elderly individuals.
- It highlights the importance of considering viral etiologies, including HPIV, in severe respiratory failure, even when bacterial infection is suspected.
- Timely diagnosis and appropriate management of HPIV infections are crucial for preventing severe outcomes like ARDS.
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