Simultaneous cytomegalovirus and herpes simplex virus pneumonia.

A 35-year-old patient who underwent renal transplant developed persistent fever, hypoxemia, and diffuse interstitial pulmonary infiltrates one month after allograft implantation. An open lung biopsy specimen demonstrated simultaneous infection with cytomegalovirus and herpes simplex virus type 1. This initially was unsuspected on routine histology, but was confirmed by the demonstration of both viruses with immunofluorescence, as well as the timely recovery in culture of both. The clinical and pathologic implications of an accurate diagnosis of such a simultaneous infection are discussed.