HERPES-SIMPLEX VIRAL PNEUMONIA IN THE POSTTHORACOTOMY PATIENT

Over a 6-month period, 6 of 54 postthoracotomy patients developed pneu monia and respiratory failure. Pneumonia was secondary to herpes simpl ex virus type 1 in 3 of the 6 patients. Diagnostic efforts including b ronchoscopy with bronchial washing, viral cultures, and cytologic exam ination permitted early diagnosis and successful treatment with acyclo vir. A high index of suspicion for herpes simplex pneumonia must be ma intained in critically ill patients with undiagnosed pneumonia.