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A 18-year-old male with acute respiratory failure. Carpe diem: a call to action| Rassegna di Patologia dell'Apparato Respiratorio
V. 40: Fascicolo 2 - Giugno 2025
DOI: 10.36166/2531-4920-822
Pulmonology FM
Pubblicato: 2025-11-14
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A 18-year-old male with acute respiratory failure. Carpe diem: a call to action

DIMEC, University of Bologna, Bologna; Department of Medical Specialities/Pulmonology Unit, Ospedale GB Morgagni/University of Bologna, Forlì (FC); Department of Respiratory Medicine & Allergy, Aarhus University, Aarhus (DK)
Outpatient Respiratory Service, ASSL Ogliastra, Tortolì (NU)
DIMEC, University of Bologna, Bologna; 2 Department of Medical Specialities/Pulmonology Unit, Ospedale GB Morgagni/University of Bologna, Forlì (FC); Department of Radiology, Ospedale GB Morgagni/University of Bologna, Forlì (FC)

Abstract

  •   18 YEAR-OLD MALE;
  •   NO HISTORY OF CHRONIC TOBACCO USE;
  •   NO OCCUPATIONAL EXPOSURES OR RECREATIONAL DRUG USE;
  •   FAMILIAL CLINICAL HISTORY: not relevant;
  •   PAST MEDICAL HISTORY: respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infection four months before the admission;
  •   PHARMACOLOGICAL THERAPY: none;
  •   CLINICAL ONSET: acute and rapidly progressive dyspnoea - chest pain.

On arrival at the Emergency Department, the patient was febrile and tachycardic and presented with decreased oxygen saturation. Arterial blood gas analysis revealed hypoxemia without hypercapnia or acid-base imbalance (Tab. I). Laboratory investigations demonstrated neutrophilic leukocytosis associated with marked elevation of C - reactive protein (Tab. I). Autoantibody screening, including ANCA and antisynthetase syndrome panel, was negative. ECG and echocardiography were within normal limits. Chest X-ray showed alveolar consolidation in the right lower lung field with an associated right pleural effusion. Empirical antibiotic therapy with azithromycin and ceftriaxone was initiated on suspicion of bacterial pneumonia.

Affiliazioni

Venerino Poletti

DIMEC, University of Bologna, Bologna; Department of Medical Specialities/Pulmonology Unit, Ospedale GB Morgagni/University of Bologna, Forlì (FC); Department of Respiratory Medicine & Allergy, Aarhus University, Aarhus (DK)

Sara Pavano

Outpatient Respiratory Service, ASSL Ogliastra, Tortolì (NU)

Sara Piciucchi

DIMEC, University of Bologna, Bologna; 2 Department of Medical Specialities/Pulmonology Unit, Ospedale GB Morgagni/University of Bologna, Forlì (FC); Department of Radiology, Ospedale GB Morgagni/University of Bologna, Forlì (FC)

Licenza

Creative Commons License

Questo lavoro è fornito con la licenza Creative Commons Attribuzione - Non commerciale - Non opere derivate 4.0 Internazionale.

Copyright

© Associazione Italiana Pneumologi Ospedalieri – Italian Thoracic Society (AIPO – ITS) , 2025

Come citare

Poletti, V., Pavano, S., & Piciucchi, S. (2025). A 18-year-old male with acute respiratory failure. Carpe diem: a call to action. Rassegna Di Patologia dell’Apparato Respiratorio, 40(2). https://doi.org/10.36166/2531-4920-822
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