Herpes simplex virus (HSV) pneumonia in the non-ventilated immunocompromised host: Burden and predictors

Herpes simplex virus (HSV) is known to be an infrequent cause of pneumonia affecting mostly severely immunocompromised hosts.1 However, HSV pneumonia has rarely been described in such patient population probably considered not clinically relevant or unrecognized.2 –5 On the other hand, HSV ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) results to be not uncommon among immunocompetent patients and has been frequently reported in literature.6–10 Currently, the diagnosis of HSV lower respiratory tract (LRT) infections including pneumonia and tracheobronchitis remains very demanding.

Source: Journal of Infection - September 26, 2018 Category: Infectious Diseases Authors: Luzzati Roberto, D'Agaro Pierlanfranco, Busca Annalisa, Maurel Cristina, Martellani Fulvia, Rosin Chiara, Segat Ludovica, Gatti Giuseppe, Mascarello Marta, Confalonieri Marco Source Type: research