Fatal co-infection with pulmonary tuberculosis and herpes simplex virus 1 pneumonia under steroid treatment

Abstract

We report a case of adult respiratory distress syndrome in a 65 yr old man under inappropriate steroid therapy who developed both Herpes simplex virus 1 (HSV) and Mycobacterium tuberculosis pneumonia; we conclude from clinical and histological data that HSV 1 played a major role in the fatal outcome of this immunocompromised patient, in spite of acyclovir treatment.