A rare case of cytomegalovirus causing respiratory failure and a large pericardial effusion. Issue 5 (3rd September 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Burkovsky, Leah; Kahloan, Wahab M.; Acharya, Aashish; Nair, Gayatri; Conti, Ricardo A. S.
• Is Part Of: Journal of community hospital internal medicine perspectives. Volume 11:Issue 5(2021)
• Page Start: 693
• Page End: 697
• Publication Date: 2021-09-03
• Subjects: cytomegalovirus -- HIV -- bronchoalveolar lavage -- hypoxic respiratory failure -- pericardial effusion; Internal medicine -- Periodicals; Hospitals -- Periodicals; Hospitals, Community; Internal Medicine; Hospitals; Internal medicine; Periodicals; Periodicals; 610
• DOI: 10.1080/20009666.2021.1954283
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2000-9666

Abstract

ABSTRACT: Cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection is asymptomatic in the majority of immunocompetent patients. However, it can cause severe presentations, particularly in patients who are immunocompromised. We are reporting a rare association between respiratory failure secondary to cavitary pneumonia and a large pericardial effusion due to CMV infection in a patient with human immunodeficiency virus. The patient presented with hypoxic respiratory failure and a large pericardial effusion at risk of tamponade. After extensive investigation, the sole pathogen identified in the patient's bronchoalveolar lavage and pericardial fluid was CMV.