Viral Pneumonia: Etiologies and Treatment

Abstract

Viral pathogens are increasingly recognized as a cause of pneumonia, in immunocompetent patients and more commonly among immunocompromised. Viral pneumonia in adults could present as community-acquired pneumonia (CAP), ranging from mild disease to severe disease requiring hospital admission and mechanical ventilation. Moreover, the role of viruses in hospital-acquired pneumonia and ventilator-associated pneumonia as causative agents or as co-pathogens and the effect of virus detection on clinical outcome are being investigated.More than 20 viruses have been linked to CAP. Clinical presentation, laboratory findings, biomarkers, and radiographic patterns are not characteristic to specific viral etiology. Currently, laboratory confirmation is most commonly done by detection of viral nucleic acid by reverse transcription-PCR of respiratory secretions.Apart from the US Food and Drug Administration-approved medications for treatment of influenza pneumonia, the treatment of non-influenza respiratory viruses is limited. Moreover, the evidence supporting the use of available antivirals to treat immunocompromised patients is modest at best. With the widespread use of molecular diagnostics, an aging population, and advancement in cancer therapy, physicians will face a bigger challenge in managing viral respiratory tract infections. Emphasis on infection control measures to prevent the spread of respiratory viruses especially in healthcare settings is extremely important.

Characteristics of Influenza Infection in 2017 and Current Practice: A Retrospective Study at a College Hospital in Jeddah

“…It resembles community-acquired pneumonia, and ranges from mild to severe disease. 22 Treatment should begin as soon as influenza pneumonia is suspected and before laboratory confirmation. Three neuraminidase inhibitors are FDA approved in 2014 for the treatment of influenza A and B in adults; oral oseltamivir, inhaled zanamivir and intravenous peramivir.…”

“…Three neuraminidase inhibitors are FDA approved in 2014 for the treatment of influenza A and B in adults; oral oseltamivir, inhaled zanamivir and intravenous peramivir. 22 In this study, influenza cases received early antiviral therapy within 48 hours of presentation due to the rapid results of RIDTs within 15 min. However, 16% of cases received treatment later than 48 hours and 4.3% did not have their antiviral treatment among the discharge medications.…”

Respiratory and pulmonary complications in head and neck cancer patients: Evidence‐based review for the COVID‐19 era

“…Pulmonary viral infections frequently occur in patients with impaired cellular immunity, with cytomegalovirus and herpes group viruses being common sources 11 . Influenza, parainfluenza, respiratory syncytial virus, rhinovirus, and adenovirus, are also recognized as frequent pulmonary pathogens, particularly among immunocompromised cancer patients with respiratory illness 10,12,58,59 …”

Anemoside B4 protects against Klebsiella pneumoniae- and influenza virus FM1-induced pneumonia via the TLR4/Myd88 signaling pathway in mice

“…Pneumonia refers to the inflammation of the terminal airway, alveoli and pulmonary interstitium caused by many factors, of which typical symptoms include dry cough, chest pain, fever, and dyspnea [1,2]. Pneumonia has been one of the main factors affecting people's health and even life for a long time.…”