SEVERE RESPIRATORY SYNCYTIAL VIRUS PULMONARY INFECTION IN A PATIENT TREATED WITH FLUDARABINE FOR CHRONIC LYMPHOCYTIC-LEUKEMIA

Fludarabine phosphate is currently proposed for the treatment of refra ctory chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL). CD4 T-lymphocyte depletion, myelosuppression, and subsequent severe infections are the major side effects of fludarabine phosphate therapy. We report here on a heretofo re undescribed respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infection in a patien t with a long-standing history of refractory CLL that was treated with fludarabine phosphate. The patient developed a severe infection of th e upper and lower respiratory tract with bilateral pulmonary infiltrat es and severe hypoxemia. RSV was the only infectious agent that could be isolated, and treatment with aerosolized ribavirin lead to prompt i mprovement of all symptoms.