Influenza pneumonia in a paediatric lung transplant recipient

Although a common cause of morbidity and mortality in the general populatio n, influenza infections are uncommon in lung transplant recipients and, to date, have only been associated with transient declines in pulmonary functi on and a relatively benign clinical course. This paper describes severe inf luenza pneumonia in a 13-year-old paediatric lung transplant recipient (5 m onths after double lung transplantation). Influenza pneumonia was diagnosed by direct fluorescent antibody testing and viral culture of bronchoalveola r lavage fluid. The patient required mechanical ventilation for 2 days due to respiratory failure and fatigue. Since his recovery from this pneumonia, he has developed obliterative bronchiolitis and currently awaits re-transp lantation.