Plastic bronchitis (PB) is a rare and severe respiratory disease characterized by the formation of branching mucus casts, resulting in airway obstruction. PB can be divided into two types. Type… Click to show full abstract
Plastic bronchitis (PB) is a rare and severe respiratory disease characterized by the formation of branching mucus casts, resulting in airway obstruction. PB can be divided into two types. Type 1 PB is primarily due to inflammatory casts caused by allergic diseases. In type 2 PB, mucinous casts are produced in association with congenital heart diseases. PB is also associated with viral respiratory infections, particularly influenza A (H1N1) pdm09 virus, which is the most common pathogen affecting pediatric patients. Herein, we report a severe case of PB type 1 caused by human bocavirus (HBoV) 1, affecting a child. Multiplex polymerase chain reaction (PCR) with a nasopharyngeal swab revealed the presence of respiratory syncytial virus and human parainfluenza virus 3.However, no viruses other than HBoV 1 were detected from mucus casts via real-time PCR. Consequently, we suggested that HBoV can cause PB in pediatric patients; direct and comprehensive PCR with bronchial casts may be useful for identifying etiologic agents.
               
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