Herpes s simplex v virus ttracheitis iin a a p patient w with tthe a acquired immunodeficiency s syndrome

Herpes simplex virus tracheitis in a patient with the acquired immunodeficiency syn- drome. L. Baras, C.M. Farber, J.P. Van Vooren, D. Parent. ERS Journals Ltd 1994. ABSTRACT: Herpetic tracheobronchitis and pneumonia occur basically in immuno- depressed patients, but have rarely been reported in patients with the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). Some large reviews on pulmonary manifes- tations 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 pro- cedures (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 sim- plex virus (HSV) from a herpetic stomatitis to the lower respiratory tract, even after the endotracheal cannula has been removed.