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Review
. 2017 Feb 21:10:61-67.
doi: 10.2147/IDR.S122390. eCollection 2017.

Post-influenza aspergillosis, do not underestimate influenza B

Eric Fl Nulens  1 , Marc Jc Bourgeois  2 , Marijke Bml Reynders  1
Affiliations
Review

Post-influenza aspergillosis, do not underestimate influenza B

Eric Fl Nulens et al. Infect Drug Resist. .

Abstract

Our objective is to highlight and focus on post-influenza aspergillosis, triggered by influenza B virus. This relatively new clinical entity is often associated with a fulminant course of respiratory decline and high mortality. A 51-year immunocompetent woman, without any medical history or risk factors for developing a complicated influenza infection, was admitted to the intensive care unit. During admission, she presented with an afebrile flu-like syndrome, myocarditis, rhabdomyolysis, multiple organ failure, and evolved to severe respiratory distress. The broncho-alveolar lavage contained influenza B RNA, and the culture revealed Aspergillus fumigatus. Despite maximal organ support, immunoglobulin, antiviral and antifungal therapy, the patient died. This case demonstrates that influenza B virus may be life threatening even to immunocompetent adults and may trigger an invasive Aspergillus superinfection.

Keywords: ARDS; antiviral therapy; influenza B; invasive pulmonary aspergillosis; post-influenza aspergillosis; rhabdomyolysis.

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Conflict of interest statement

Disclosure The authors report no conflicts of interest in this work.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Daily evolution of chest X-ray from admittance to the ICU to death of the patient. Abbreviation: ICU, intensive care unit.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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