Syndrome obstructif expiratoire aigu et primo-infection à Epstein-Barr virus

Abstract

A 3 year-old immunocompetent boy presented with severe obstructive respiratory failure with pneumothorax accompanying a primary Epstein-Barr virus infection. Because of the patient’s severe hypoxemia, he required mechanical ventilation for 6 days. The clinical course with corticosteroids was favourable and the patient was discharged from the intensive care unit without sequelae. Severe pneumonitis with EBV is rare, particularly in children. We describe the clinical course and laboratory test results of this atypical pediatric patient.