Organizing pneumonia secondary to influenza infection: Two case reports and a literature review.

BACKGROUND

Organizing pneumonia (OP) is a rare complication of influenza virus infection but scarce data are available. The recognition of this entity is important because require appropriate treatment.

METHODS

We report two cases and perform a systematic review on PubMed database. Only cases with histological confirmation of OP and influenza virus positive laboratory test were included.

RESULTS

We collected 16 patients. Median age was 52 year, 20% of patients were smokers and 43.8% had not any comorbidity. Influenza A virus infection was diagnosed in 75%. Clinical manifestation consisted on a respiratory deterioration with a median time of appearance of 14 days. Radiological pattern observed was ground-glass opacities with consolidations. Survival was observed in 12 patients (75%). All three patients who did not receive steroid treatment died.

CONCLUSION

Physicians must be aware that patients with influenza infection with a torpid course could be developing OP and prompt corticoid therapy should be instaured.