Herpes simplex virus tracheitis in a patient with the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome

Abstract

Herpetic tracheobronchitis and pneumonia occur basically in immune-depressed patients, but have rarely been reported in patients with the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). Some large reviews on pulmonary manifestations in AIDS report a small number of herpetic pulmonary infections, without determining any prevalence of this particular viral involvement. Predisposing factors are alteration of cell-mediated immunity and invasive procedures (such as endotracheal tube use) in debilitated patients. The case we report illustrates the occurrence of a herpetic tracheitis in an HIV-infected patient with severe P. carinii pneumonia, needing systemic corticotherapy and mechanical ventilation. It illustrates the risk of dissemination of herpes simplex virus (HSV) from a herpetic stomatitis to the lower respiratory tract, even after the endotracheal cannula has been removed.