Abstract
We report a case of herpes simplex viral (HSV) pneumonia as a post-CABG pulmonary complication in a 70-year-old man. Chest radiography on postoperative day 9, showed a glass-like shadow and pleural effusion in the left lung field, and the man's condition began deteriorating rapidly. Bronchofiberscopy to detect the pathogen and a bronchoalveolar lavage with polymerase chain reaction (PCR) yielded a definitive diagnosis of HSV pneumonia. Once therapy with acyclovir was begun, his condition improved markedly. Our case suggest that 1 viral pulmonary infection should be considered as a possible cause in postoperative cardiac patients with unexplained progressive pulmonary infiltrates, and 2 DNA amplification using PCR is rapid—it can be completed within 1 day—and sensitive and specific in diagnosing such infections.
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Arata, Ki., Sakata, R., Iguro, Y. et al. Herpes simplex viral pneumonia after coronary artery bypass grafting. Jpn J Thorac Caridovasc Surg 51, 158–159 (2003). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11748-003-0053-0
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11748-003-0053-0