Co-Infection of Coronavirus Disease 2019 and Respiratory Syncytial Virus Infection in a Lung Cancer Patient: A Case Report

Abstract

The number of people affected by the new SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus continues to rise. In SARS-CoV-2, over-infection with bacteria or fungi appears to be associated with increased mortality. The role of co-infections with respiratory viral pathogens is not clear yet. This report aims to present a case of a patient with lung cancer experiencing respiratory distress symptoms to investigate the presence of Coronavirus Disease 2019 and Respiratory Syncytial Virus Infection. Here we report COVID-19 in a lung cancer patient (72-year-old woman) with secondary immune deficiency and concurrent respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infection. Real-time reverse transcription PCR (qRT-PCR) with multiplex qRT-PCR kit and chest CT scan was done for her. Upon clinical evaluation, respiratory virus infection was suspected, which was confirmed by qRT-PCR and chest CT scan. After confirmation, the management, based on anti-tuberculosis therapy was started. The case emphasizes the benefits of diagnosis of respiratory virus infection and treatment to prevent severe consequences in the lung cancer patient.