Initiation of Systemic Corticosteroid Treatment in a Patient with Avian Influenza A (H7N9) Pneumonia, Guided by Blood CD4 Lymphocyte Count and Viral Load

Wei-Hsin Hung ； Diahn-Warng Perng ； Hsin-Kuo Ko

《胸腔醫學》 37卷1期 (2022/03) Pp. 21-26

摘要

Avian influenza A (H7N9) is a novel influenza A virus that has caused severe human illnesses in China since 2013. Neuraminidase inhibitor (NI) treatment, systemic steroid use, and intensive respiratory care have been used to manage severe avian influenza infection. The timing for initiation of steroid treatment remains uncertain, and the harmful effects of immune suppression and the potential for prolonging viral replication have been reported in the literature. Here, we reported a case of H7N9 influenza infection in a patient with acute respiratory distress syndrome who was supported with extracorporeal membrane oxygenation and given NIs and systemic steroid in accordance with the viral load and the blood CD4 lymphocyte count.

關鍵字

influenza ； influenza A ； H7N9 ； CD4 lymphocyte count ； corticosteroid