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Herpes simplex viral pneumonia in the postthoracotomy patient
B Camazine1, J G Antkowiak, M E Nava
1Department of Thoracic Surgery and Oncology, Roswell Park Cancer Institute, Buffalo, NY 14263, USA.
Chest
|September 1, 1995
Abstract:
Over a 6-month period, 6 of 54 postthoracotomy patients developed pneumonia and respiratory failure. Pneumonia was secondary to herpes simplex virus type 1 in 3 of the 6 patients. Diagnostic efforts including bronchoscopy with bronchial washing, viral cultures, and cytologic examination permitted early diagnosis and successful treatment with acyclovir. A high index of suspicion for herpes simplex pneumonia must be maintained in critically ill patients with undiagnosed pneumonia.