HERPES-SIMPLEX VIRUS TRACHEITIS IN A PATIENT WITH THE ACQUIRED-IMMUNODEFICIENCY-SYNDROME

Herpetic tracheobronchitis and pneumonia occur basically in immunodepr essed patients, but have rarely been reported in patients with the acq uired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). Some large reviews on pulmonar y manifestations in AIDS report a small number of herpetic pulmonary i nfections, without determining any prevalence of this particular viral involvement. Predisposing factors are alteration of cell-mediated imm unity and invasive procedures (such as endotracheal tube use) in debil itated patients. The case we report illustrates the occurrence of a he rpetic tracheitis in an HIV-infected patient with severe P. carinii pn eumonia, needing systemic corticotherapy and mechanical ventilation. I t 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.