Cavitary Lung Lesion in a Patient with Systemic Lupus Erythematosus: An Unusual Manifestation of Cytomegalovirus Pneumonia

Abstract

Cytomegalovirus (CMV), a member of the human herpesvirus group, causes severe disease in immunocompromised patients. In particular, CMV pneumonia can be a life-threatening disease to patients taking immunosuppressive drugs. The radiographic manifestations of CMV are variable and may consist of reticular or reticulonodular patterns, ground-glass opacities, air-space consolidations, or mixed patterns. A cavitary lesion in pneumonia associated with CMV infection is extremely rare. Herein we report on a case of CMV pneumonia which presented with a cavitary lesion and was treated successfully in a systemic lupus erythematosus patient who was taking immunosuppressive drugs.