Respiratory syncytial virus infection in patients with phagocyte defects

Patients with phagocyte defects frequently develop bacterial or fungal pneu monias, but they are not considered to be at increased risk for viral infec tions. We describe 3 patients with known phagocyte immunodeficiencies who d eveloped lower respiratory tract infections (LRTI) caused by respiratory sy ncytial virus (RSV). All 3 patients had dense pneumonias as indicated by co mputed tomography scan of the lungs and RSV was recovered. We conclude that RSV can present as a dense pneumonia in patients with phagocyte defects. A long with common pathogens causing LRTI, RSV should be considered in the di fferential diagnosis. Viral cultures as well as rapid antigen detection ass ays for respiratory viruses should be included in the evaluation of LRTI in patients with phagocyte defects.