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DOI: 10.1055/s-0043-1769120
Plastic Bronchitis and Human Bocavirus: A Report of Three Cases

Abstract
This study aims to investigate and analyze the clinical features of coexisting human bocavirus (HBoV) positivity and plastic bronchitis (PB). We present three cases with no known history of cardiac surgery who presented with cough, progressive dyspnea, and atelectasis. They tested positive for HBoV in a real-time polymerase chain reaction of both nasal lavage fluids. They were diagnosed with PB as a result of bronchoscopy and pathology. PB is a rare disease characterized by forming thick rigid casts in the tracheobronchial tree, which can progress to respiratory failure. While asthma or atopy-related type 1 PB was observed in one patient, two patients were diagnosed with PB, which was thought to have developed secondary to viral infections of unknown etiology. As far as we know, HBoV-associated PB cases are rare in the literature. Besides the commonly known infectious agents, we identified a relationship with HBoV in all the presented cases.
Consent to Participate and Consent to Publish
Patients gave written permission to participate and be published and share the images.
Ethical Approval
The patients gave written consent to participate and be published and share the images.
Availability of Data and Materials
Data and materials cannot be used without permission.
Publication History
Received: 31 December 2022
Accepted: 24 April 2023
Article published online:
26 May 2023
© 2023. Thieme. All rights reserved.
Georg Thieme Verlag KG
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