Organizing pneumonia secondary to seasonal coronavirus infection

Abstract

A 61-year-old male with history of multiple myeloma presents with 2-day history of fever, dyspnea and dry cough. Initial computed tomography (CT) chest indicated bilateral ground glass opacities with peripheral and upper lobe predominance. Despite broad spectrum antibiotics, he deteriorated clinically. Bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) was inconclusive. Nasopharyngeal swab returned positive for Coronavirus HKU1, a known seasonal circulating coronavirus. Repeat CT revealed new areas of consolidation with organizing pneumonia features. The patient clinically improved with oral prednisone treatment, with eventual clinical and radiological resolution. In this clinical imaging report, we present a complication of seasonal coronavirus infection in the context of the current novel coronavirus pandemic.

Keywords:

• Seasonal coronavirus
• respiratory tract infections
• cryptogenic organizing pneumonia
• immunosuppression