H7N9 Influenza A-induced Pneumonia Associated with Acute Myelitis in an Adult

Abstract

Recently, we encountered three patients infected with an avian influenza A virus (H7N9) who exhibited upper respiratory catarrh symptoms, pharyngalgia, a high fever and hypodynamia in the early stages of the disease. Their conditions deteriorated rapidly, and one-sided pneumonia progressed to two-sided pneumonia. The patients developed respiratory failure and even acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). One patient experienced numbness of the lower limbs, urinary retention and fecal incontinence. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the spinal cord indicated edema at the thoracic level, and the patient was diagnosed with acute myelitis. This report details the diagnosis and treatment of a patient with H7N9-induced pneumonia associated with acute myelitis.