Respiratory syncytial virus infection in the late bone marrow transplant period: report of three cases and review

Bone Marrow Transplant. 2001 May;27(10):1071-3. doi: 10.1038/sj.bmt.1703046.

Abstract

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infection is an important cause of respiratory mortality in immunosuppressed patients, including bone marrow transplant (BMT) recipients. The presence of lower respiratory tract infection and infection in the pre-engraftment phase of BMT is believed to confer a poor prognosis. Three patients who underwent allogeneic BMT at our institution developed RSV pneumonia over 1 year post BMT, with the underlying disease in remission. All three were hypoxic with extensive pulmonary disease at presentation. Treatment consisted of aerosolized ribavirin and intravenous immune globulin with successful clearing of viral shedding and excellent clinical outcomes. RSV infection is probably less severe in the late post-BMT period, but needs to be considered early in the differential diagnosis of pulmonary infiltrates in this patient population.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Bone Marrow Transplantation / adverse effects*
  • Disease-Free Survival
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Immunoglobulins, Intravenous / administration & dosage
  • Male
  • Respiratory Syncytial Virus Infections / drug therapy
  • Respiratory Syncytial Virus Infections / etiology*
  • Ribavirin / administration & dosage
  • Time Factors
  • Transplantation, Homologous / adverse effects

Substances

  • Immunoglobulins, Intravenous
  • Ribavirin