Desquamative interstitial pneumonitis and alveolar lipoproteinosis: diagnostic difficulties and therapy problems with an infant.

A desquamative, interstitial pneumonitis was diagnosed histologically in a 9-month-old boy who first became ill at the age of 5 weeks. The desquamative interstitial pneumonitis was associated with an acquired cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection. Despite treatment with corticoids, acyclovir and artificial ventilation, the patient died of pulmonary insufficiency at the age of 15 months. The autopsy revealed an alveolar lipoproteinosis.