Sudden death of an infant with rhinovirus infection complicating bronchial asthma: case report.

An 11-month-old infant with symptoms of mild asthma for 3 months died unexpectedly during sleep. Pulmonary findings typical of acute asthma as well as focal interstitial pneumonitis were present at autopsy. Serum IgE level, known to rise in viral infections, was markedly elevated. Rhinovirus type 47 was cultured from blood and lung post mortem. The relationship between viral infection and onset of an acute asthmatic attack is discussed, and this potentially life-threatening complication of asthma is underscored.